5-day-old baby in M'sia tests positive for drugs, mother arrested

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5-day-old baby girl tests positive for two drugs

A baby girl in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia, recently tested positive for two kinds of drugs – amphetamines and benzodiazepines – at only five days old.

Tests detected the two prohibited substances after the baby underwent a urine test at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZ II) on 6 Aug.

Investigators also found that the infant was exposed to these substances in utero, Harian Metro reported.

Baby’s mother arrested, tested positive for drugs

A source said police arrested the baby’s 30-year-old mother to assist in investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (ADB) 1952.

They added that the woman also tested positive for benzodiazepines after a urine screening during the initial police investigations.

Image courtesy of birgl on Canva. For illustration purposes only.

“The woman involved, who is unemployed, was found to have no previous criminal record,” they revealed.

The District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division (BSJND) of the Kota Bharu District Police Headquarters (IPD) is currently handling the case.

Mother charged for taking sedatives without supervision

According to BuletinTV3, authorities charged the mother for taking sedatives without supervision.

“Based on the testimony of the woman in her 30s, she took sedatives without a doctor’s supervision, causing herself and the baby to test positive for drugs,” said Kota Bharu District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Azmir Damiri.

However, Mr Azmir said they will conduct further investigations.

The hospital continues to treat and monitor the newborn at HRPZ II.

Police have also not arrested the mother, as she had just given birth.

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