BUTTERWORTH, Jan 19 — The Social Welfare Department is to also look into the welfare of the five stepsiblings of a seven-year-old girl suspected to have been subjected to abuse.
This was disclosed today by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun who visited the girl at the Seberang Jaya Hospital here.
Hospital director Dr Azlina Muhd Radzi and Penang Social Welfare Department director Dr Zaitol Salleh were present during the visit.
The girl, a Standard One pupil, was found weak and hungry at a house in Sungai Dua that was without electricity and water supply.
The police have arrested a 34-year-old man to facilitate investigation into the case.
Longer remand: Plainclothes policemen escorting the girl’s father to the Butterworth courthouse in Penang.Star pic by Asri Abdul Ghani/January 19, 2015 |
Meanwhile, Dr Azlina said the hospital was introducing food to the girl.
“She has not been fed for a long time. We are feeding her slowly and she can gain weight. She cannot take solid food yet.
“She has gained two kilograms to 10kg and we are trying to make her gain up to 15kg to 20kg,” she said. — Bernama