MELAKA: A nursery caregiver has been remanded for two days in connection with the death of a six-month-old baby boy who was found unresponsive at a childcare centre here.

The remand order was issued by Magistrate N. Sivashangari at the Magistrate’s Court here on Friday (July 18) to facilitate investigations under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which pertains to child neglect or abuse.

The 26-year-old suspect, an unmarried woman from Alai, arrived in court dressed in a long headscarf and remained calm as she was brought into the courtroom.

According to media reports, the tragedy unfolded at approximately 5pm on Wednesday (July 16) when a caregiver at the nursery checked on the infant, whom she had put to sleep about an hour earlier.

The baby had been swaddled on a mattress lying face down and was under the rotating supervision of multiple caregivers at the nursery.

The caregiver found the infant with a bluish complexion and immediately alerted the nursery operator.

The baby was rushed to a clinic in Ujong Pasir here, where medical personnel attempted resuscitation.

A subsequent examination at Hospital Melaka found no signs of physical abuse or criminal injury.

A police report was lodged by the hospital staff following the incident.

The suspect was arrested around 12.10pm on Thursday (July 17) by officers from the Melaka police headquarters.

Police investigations are ongoing to determine whether any element of negligence contributed to the baby’s death.