Police clear criminal elements in Penang child rescue case involving 20 children
Acting state police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said no elements of abuse, trafficking or other crimes were found in the police investigation.
He said statements were recorded from all the children, including the baby's 20-year-old mother.
"It is true this case involved police, but after investigation, we found no criminal elements.... Therefore, we are handing the case back to the department to be investigated under the relevant act," he said when contacted.
The children were rescued on July 21 in a joint operation by police and the Welfare Department at two premises in Seberang Prai Tengah, following intelligence reports.
Authorities found the children, believed to be of mixed nationalities including locals, living without legal guardians and lacking basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Some could speak Mandarin.
State Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the children, aged between 15 days and 16 years, comprised 10 boys and 10 girls.
Twelve of them had no birth certificates, while six had valid documents. Two have since been placed in the care of immediate family members.
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