Kampung banggol: Police have confirmed clear signs of abuse in the death of a 23-month-old boy in Kampung Banggol, Manir here last Saturday. Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairuddin stated that the post-mortem revealed bleeding in the head and bruises across the victim’s body.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the boy’s biological father and stepmother, along with a doctor and nurse from Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ), have provided their statements to the authorities. The incident took place inside the home, where only the victim, the suspects, and the victim’s three-year-old brother were present at the time.

Investigations have linked the suspects, who have been married for six months and tend to keep to themselves, to the case. This was announced by Mohd Khairi following the handover of duty ceremony to Terengganu’s new deputy police chief, SAC Suffian Sulaiman, formerly chief of the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters Management Department.

Mohd Khairi mentioned that police are currently awaiting the victim’s full medical report before they can submit the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor. Furthermore, a health assessment of the victim’s brother, who is now under the care of the Social Welfare Department, showed no indications of abuse.

The father, aged 27, and the stepmother, aged 30, have been remanded for seven days under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.