Nine-Year-Old Girl Found Locked in Storeroom, Adoptive Mother Arrested in Seremban

A nine-year-old girl is reportedly a victim of neglect after allegedly being confined to a storeroom behind a house in Taman Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban, since May. Police received a report regarding the incident on Monday evening and launched an investigation.

Initial findings suggest the victim, who has been the adoptive daughter of the family since she was 18 months old, was kept in an unlocked storeroom throughout the school holidays. She was reportedly given food only twice daily and was only allowed out of the storeroom to use the toilet before being sent back.

Authorities also discovered that the girl was frequently scolded and physically punished by her adoptive mother for minor offenses, including stealing food at night. Upon discovery, the child exhibited scratches on her shoulder and right cheek. She was rescued by police and taken to Tuanku Jaafar Hospital, where she remains under medical care.

A 46-year-old woman, identified as the adoptive mother, was arrested the same night to assist with the investigation. The case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, and a remand application for the suspect is expected at the Seremban Magistrate's Court.