A MAN believed to have placed an e-cigarette or vape mod into a baby’s mouth at a restaurant in Bandar Baru Uda in Johor recently, was arrested last night (Aug 8).
The 17-second viral video had gone viral on social media, and received criticism from netizens.
Johor Bahru North OCPD Asst Comm Rupiah Abd Wahid said the 23-year-old businessman was detained at the district police headquarter’s crime investigation department at 12.45 am.
She said the arrest was made after her team received a police report lodged by the seven-month-old baby girl’s mother on Saturday (Aug 6). The mother claimed the man was her sister’s friend.
“According to the complainant, at the time of the incident, she and the baby were with her sister and the man at a restaurant.
“All of a sudden, the man who was carrying the baby jokingly placed the non-functioning e-cigarette into the baby’s mouth.
“This was recorded by the mother’s sister, who posted it on social media, which then went viral.”
Rupiah said after the police report was made, the police opened an investigation paper into the matter under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for alleged neglect and exposure of a child to danger so as to cause physical or emotional injury.
A remand application for the man involved will be made today to enable further investigations.
Rupiah said if found guilty, the man could be sentenced to a maximum jail term of 20 years, a RM50,000 fine or both. – Aug 9, 2022
Photo credit: The Vibes
