Authorities seek kin of 18 abuse victims from Cheras children’s home

 

An 18-year-old had claimed that he was scolded and slapped for not listening to the shelter’s owners and caretakers.

PETALING JAYA: 

The social welfare department is looking to contact the relatives or guardians of the 18 children who were allegedly abused at a children’s home in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

The home was ordered to shut down last week after a couple, who are the home’s owners and caretakers, were arrested to facilitate an investigation into alleged abuse.

In a statement today, the women, family and community development ministry said the 18 children have been temporarily placed in another children’s welfare home.

“The children, all of whom are suspected of having been abused, have completed medical examinations carried out at Kajang Hospital and have been referred to psychologists and counsellors for initial psychological assessments,” the ministry said.

“An interim order under the Child Act 2001 has been requested in the Children’s Court. Reports from the social welfare department and the children’s medical reports will also be presented to the court.”

The ministry urged relatives or guardians of the rescued children to contact the Hulu Langat district social welfare office at 03-8739 5070 or visit the office at: Lot 2-58, Kompleks Hentian Kajang, Jalan Reko, 43000 Kajang, Selangor.

Kajang police previously said the couple in their 60s was arrested after a report was lodged on April 1 by an 18-year-old youth who claimed that he was scolded and slapped on his left cheek for not listening to the shelter’s owners and caretakers.

Two other police reports were lodged by other witnesses, alleging that the couple had abused the children emotionally and mentally.

The case is being investigated under the Child Act 2001 for child abuse. - FMT