Dr Annuar (right) consoles the victim’s father.
SIBU: Nine-month-old baby boy Aariz Harraz Zahin Azman, allegedly abused by a babysitter at a house in Jalan Permai here, has passed away at Sibu Hospital at around noon today.
According to Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health Dr Annuar Rapaee, the family had agreed for life support to be removed.
“The baby passed away peacefully at around noon today and I was there to console the parents, who are both teachers.
“It is indeed very tragic because it was alleged that the baby had been abused, resulting in severe brain injuries. Doctors had diagnosed the baby as being brain dead and there was no chance of survival.
“I was told that a post-mortem will be carried out,” he told The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo reporters when met at MUC hall here today.
“I hope parents when sending their children to any home-run baby sitter or nanny to be careful and keep a close eye on their children as well as the place,” the Nangka assemblyman advised.
“It is a very sad day for the family and the community here. We don’t want such a tragic incident to recur,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sibu Police Chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said the case has been reclassified as a murder case.
The police are now investigating the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder instead of Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 previously, he said, adding that the suspect will be remanded until Jan 17.
The 39-year-old suspect had been under a four-day remand since Wednesday.
She was arrested at a house in Permai Road on Tuesday following a police report from the father of the victim.