Police have apprehended nine individuals to assist in the investigation regarding the tragic death of a 12-month-old baby boy, believed to be a victim of abuse.

Central Seberang Perai District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Tan Cheng San stated that the police received information from Seberang Jaya Hospital on the evening of yesterday, reporting that they received a patient with signs of abuse.

According to him, at that time, the local child was unconscious before being pronounced dead.

"As a result of the investigation conducted, the victim, a baby boy, was brought to the hospital by an unidentified man in his thirties.

"The man (suspect) claimed that the deceased had fainted and needed treatment before leaving the hospital area," he said in a statement today.

Tan mentioned that following the incident, the police traced the whereabouts of the suspect and successfully arrested nine individuals in the Seberang Perai area yesterday. "Four men and five local women, aged between 16 and 48, were detained to assist in this investigation.

"One of the suspects has a criminal record with five previous cases of various offenses," he added.

He explained that all those arrested will be taken to the Magistrate's Court in Bukit Mertajam for the purpose of remand, and the case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code. This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the well-being and safety of our children.