MELAKA: A six-month-old baby boy died after he was believed to have suffocated while lying face-down and swaddled on a mattress at a childcare centre in Padang Temu here.

The tragedy unfolded around 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.

According to a reliable source, the caregiver, who was rotating duties with another staff member, discovered the baby lying face-down with a bluish complexion.

“She immediately alerted the nursery operator and rushed the baby to a clinic in Ujong Pasir here for urgent medical attention,” the source said.

The source also revealed that a doctor at the clinic attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for 30 minutes while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

Upon arrival at the red zone of Melaka Hospital around 6pm, medical personnel continued CPR for another 30 minutes, but the baby was pronounced dead shortly after.

A preliminary examination of the child’s body revealed no signs of foul play, and the hospital proceeded to lodge a police report on the same day (July 16).

Meanwhile, Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christoper Patit, when confirming the report, said the case is being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for negligence involving the care of a child.