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MIRI – A babysitter and her husband have been charged in the Kuching magistrates’ court for the murder of a 4-year-old boy under their care.
Wendy Chai Xue Zhen, 36, and her husband Ling Kok Liang, 51, are charged with murdering Eric Chang Wei Jie, who was reported missing since March 7.
The couple was brought to court under a heavy police escort this morning and will be remanded without bail until their case is transferred to the high court for trial.
The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries the death penalty upon conviction.
Later, Kuching police chief Ashmon Bajah said in a press conference that the authorities had concluded their investigations and found enough evidence to charge the couple with murder.
The boy had not been found despite an extensive search in Bintawa, but police are still looking for clues, he added.
He also refuted social media claims that linked the boy’s disappearance to organ smuggling syndicates or a personal vendetta.
“This case is one of murder and does not involve human organ trafficking syndicates or babysitter syndicates out to victimise children.
“This is a sad and tragic case of a child left in the hands of those supposed to care for him.”
Earlier local media reported on allegations that the missing child was killed and his body concealed in a polystyrene box and dumped into Sg Muara Tebas in Kuching.
On March 11, the Kuching police arrested two men and two women, including the boy’s parents.
The parents have since been released on bail.
The mother had lodged a police report saying Eric had gone missing from their house at Taman Riverview Bintawa on March 7.
Anyone with information on the missing boy can call Inspector Hasmah Abdul Jalil at 013-685 2210. – The Vibes, March 31, 2022