Mother and Aunt of Six-Year-Old Drowned at Alor Gajah Hot Spring Questioned by Police

ALOR GAJAH: Police have detained the mother and aunt of a six-year-old boy who drowned in a hot spring pool here as part of an ongoing investigation into the incident.

Alor Gajah district police chief Superintendent Ahmad Abu Bakar said the boy’s 27-year-old mother and 22-year-old aunt were taken into custody on Monday to facilitate the recording of their statements. Both women were believed to have been present at the location when the incident occurred.

He added that the two would be released later the same day on police bail to allow the family to proceed with funeral arrangements.

According to Supt. Ahmad, the case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which covers offenses related to child abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exposing a child to situations that could result in physical or emotional harm.

The tragic incident took place at approximately 7.40 pm on Sunday, when the child, who was visiting Alor Gajah with his family for a holiday, was discovered unconscious in the deeper section of the hot spring pool by other visitors.

Despite medical efforts, the boy was pronounced dead at Alor Gajah Hospital at 8.24 pm on the same evening.

Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.