It was only yesterday (3 July) that 28-year-old Malaysian dad Mohd Sufi Naeif Mohd Fauzi lodged a report about his missing five-month-old baby boy.
Reportedly, the babysitter told Mohd Sufi's his wife that someone resembling him had picked up their baby from her house.
Restless and worried, the baby's father decided to upload a picture of his son on social media to gain more help while asking if anyone has seen him.
Shock And Horror As Missing Baby Was Found Dead In The Fridge
The police decided to search the babysitter's home last night after they found inconsistencies in her statement. At 10.30pm last night, police went to the babysitter's house located in Taman Nakhoda, Batu Caves.
It was here that the horrifying truth was unveiled.
Left with no choice under questioning, the babysitter led police to where she had hidden the baby. The missing baby was found dead in the fridge, wrapped in a napkin and placed inside a green zipper bag.
The tiny body of Adam Rayqal Mohd Sufi had been stuffed in the freezer compartment of the babysitter's fridge.
Gombak police Chief Assistant Commissioner Ali Ahmad said that the case has been classified as murder. Police arrested the 33-year-old babysitter and her 36-year old housemate to facilitate investigations.
As the lastest updates got out on the local newspaper that the missing baby was found dead in the fridge, many have reached out to the parents on the father's post in social media to offer them condolences.
Our heart goes out to the parents for their loss.
Laws for child care centers and caregivers
All child care centres require a license to operate in Malaysia. But, there are still those who offer babysitting services quietly on the side.
These places are cheaper because they usually hire workers who have minimal experience in caring for a baby. Their staff have no background or any training in early childhood education. In fact, some may not even know first aid at all.
But those cheaper rates might appeal to smaller young families who are just starting out. Finances might be tight with rent and other matters.
They might be desperate to find someone to care for their child while they work and earn a living. This could be the reason why some families end up choosing unregistered and unregulated child care centre and babysitting services. Laws might be there, but if there are no regular checks and proper enforcement, situations like this can happen again.
But remember parents, despite laws being there to protect you, you still need to do your research and choose wisely. Yes, times are hard and things are expensive, but it shouldn't be at the cost of a precious life.
Source: NST
Read also: Child goes missing in Singapore, from childcare
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore