23-year-old woman remanded after full-term baby’s body found in Terengganu drain
A 23-year-old woman has been remanded for four days after the body of a baby was discovered inside a drain at a housing estate in Hulu Terengganu, Malaysia.
Police said the baby was full-term and had been dead for more than 24 hours when examined, although its cause of death and whether it had been born alive remained unknown.
Resident finds baby’s remains while washing clothes
The body was discovered on Friday (16 Oct) at the Padang Setengge residential area near Kuala Berang.
According to the police, a woman was washing clothes behind her house when she noticed the remains in a drain and alerted the authorities.
Source: The Vibes
Police received a report at around 6.52pm and deployed forensic and K9 teams to examine the scene.
Initial police reports said the baby was missing its head and one hand, while subsequent reports described the remains as consisting of one arm and both legs.
Post-mortem unable to establish cause of death
A post-mortem was conducted at the forensic department of Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu.
Police said the baby was full-term and had died more than 24 hours before the examination at 9am on Saturday (17 Oct).
However, doctors were unable to determine whether the baby had been born alive or stillborn. Its gender and exact cause of death also could not be established.
Hulu Terengganu police chief Sharudin Abdul Wahab said officers arrested the 23-year-old woman at home around 3.30pm Saturday.
Source: Seehua News
Police said the arrest helped investigators establish circumstances surrounding the birth and the woman’s alleged involvement in the case.
On Sunday (18 Oct), the Kuala Berang Magistrate’s Court granted police a four-day remand order lasting until 21 Oct.
Case investigated for concealment of birth
The case is being investigated under Section 318 of Malaysia’s Penal Code for secretly disposing of a child’s body to conceal its birth.
A conviction carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Also read: Baby skeleton found buried in M’sian front yard, believed to be about four months old
Baby skeleton found buried in M’sian front yard, believed to be about four months old
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Featured image adapted from The Vibes and Seehua News.
