KK childcare centre worker under investigation for child abuse

KOTA KINABALU: A four-year-old boy came home from a childcare centre here with pain and bruises on his body much to the shock of his parents on Tuesday (Aug 8).

He then told the parents that he was apparently physically abused by a caretaker at the centre located in Luyang.

Concerned over their son’s claim, they went to the school and asked to view the CCTV recording.

It turned out to be their worst nightmare when they witnessed a woman slapping and hitting the child multiple times, including with a metal object, and could also be seen pulling his hair, among others, all in front of other children at the centre.

The 2-minute 12-second clip of the incident has gone viral online by Wednesday evening (Aug 9).

Kota Kinabalu Police Chief Asst Comm Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said following the viral video, police confirmed that the incident had taken place at the childcare centre.

He said three police reports had since been lodged over the incident including by the caretaker, aged 27, who alleged that she was assaulted by the boy’s 36-year-old father.

“The other two reports were lodged by the boy’s mother and the centre operator,” he said, in a statement late Wednesday.

“The boy and the suspect (caretaker) have been referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital II for a medical check-up.

“Two investigation papers have been opened, one on Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which provides for a maximum 10 years jail sentence and up to RM20,000 fine, or both, on conviction.

“he other involves Section 323 of the Penal Code (for voluntarily causing hurt),” ACP Mohd Zaidi said, adding this provided for a jail term up to one year and maximum RM2,000 fine, or both, on conviction.

Netizens have condemned the alleged acts by the woman in the video and took pity on the boy who could be seen in the video being assaulted by the former repeatedly including when he was eating.