1 day Ago By Kalbana Perimbanayagam
KUALA LUMPUR: The elderly couple arrested over allegations of child abuse at a private childcare shelter in Batu 9, Cheras, have been released on police bail, police confirmed today.Kajang district police chief assistant commissioner Naazron Abdul Yusof said the couple, aged 66 and 68, were remanded for a day and have since been released pending further investigation."They were remanded for a day and released on police bail after the remand order expired," he said when contacted.
Naazron also confirmed that statements from five individuals have been recorded to assist in the ongoing probe.The couple, believed to be husband and wife, were arrested at 3.20pm on April 9 following multiple police reports lodged against them.
The first report was lodged by an 18-year-old local male, a former resident of the shelter, who alleged that he had been verbally abused and slapped on the left cheek by the shelter owner for refusing to obey instructions.Two additional reports were filed by witnesses who claimed that children residing at the centre were also subjected to emotional and mental abuse.Naazron said police investigations are still ongoing to determine the full extent of the alleged abuse at the children's home under the couple's care.
Earlier, a video believed to have been recorded at the home showed several children locked up at the shelter, while a few admitted to being abused.The video, which went viral on social media, sparked public outrage, with many demanding that the matter be investigated by the Welfare Department and the police.Some of the children alleged that they were locked in a room as punishment for misbehaviour, not given enough food, and that gifts or donations meant for them never reached them as promised.
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