4-month-old baby allegedly abused, killed by step-grandmother

Police in Johor, Malaysia are investigating the alleged murder of a four-month-old baby girl by her step-grandmother, according to a report filed on July 31. The baby's body was discovered in a house in Taman Sri Saujana, Johor Bahru on the morning of the 31st, and attempts were made by medical personnel to revive her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially, the case was investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which pertains to neglect resulting in death. However, a post-mortem examination conducted on August 2 at Pasir Gudang Hospital revealed that the baby had suffered trauma to her abdomen and chest from a blunt object, leading to the reclassification of the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which deals with murder.

The victim's step-grandmother, a 39-year-old woman, was detained as part of the investigation, along with the baby's grandfather and mother. The suspects have been remanded in custody since August 2 and will appear in court in Kota Tinggi on the following day. The prosecution office has been notified that the step-grandmother will be charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. The baby had been in the care of her step-grandmother while her mother continued her studies at college.