Baby girl sent to hospital after suspected abuse at nursery

ALOR SETAR, Malaysia - A mother of a four-month-old baby girl, suspected to have been abused, sent her to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Kedah, after she suffered from body cramps in a nursery in Sungai Petani.

According to the mother in an interview on The StarTV.com, she said the baby is now in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in critical condition.

The mother, Wan Norshafiah Wan Zain, a student, said she is currently doing her practical training, with no one in her family free to take care of her baby.

"The nursery where I placed my baby was recommended by my friend," said Norshafiah.

"I sent my daughter to the nursery at 7.30am on June 28.

"At that time she was happy and cheerful.

"Then, I noticed that she was a little different when I picked her up at about 3.30pm on July 1.

"She looked like she was having a cramp. Her head moved to one side and her eyes looked upwards. Her tongue came out from her mouth, her legs and hands were cramped."

Norshafiah said her daughter was born on March 1, and everything was normal.

"Over the past three months, she has not had any fever.

"I asked the babysitter whether my daughter had fallen down and she said no.

"Then, I told the babysitter that it was okay."

Norshafiah has since lodged a police report on this incident. 

candicec@sph.com.sg