Dubai police save abused infant from violent father

Dubai Police have rescued an eight-month-old baby who was abused and 'tortured' by his own father, Khaleej Times reported on Tuesday. 

Police officers questioned both the child's mother and father after they spotted signs of assault on the infant, but neither revealed the truth and both claimed the "baby had fallen from the stairs." 

The parents' version of the story didn't convince officers, who decided to investigate the matter further. 

Brigadier Dr. Mohammed Al Murr, director of the police's general department of human rights, explained that after officers rushed the baby to a hospital, a checkup confirmed that the child was "assaulted and tortured."

The police then interrogated the mother a second time, and that's when she confessed that her husband had tortured the baby "over family disputes."

After interrogating the mother, police officers confronted the abusive father. 

He explained that his wife "often created problems for him," adding that during one of their fights "the sound of the child crying irritated him, and he assaulted the infant." 

He also said that he beat his wife as she tried to defend her child. 

According to Khaleej Times, legal action has been taken against both parents and they have been referred to the Dubai Public Prosecution.

The police have now taken protective custody of the infant.

Speaking of the child's condition, Al Murr told the English language daily: 

"He is in a good health condition. The department has coordinated with the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children to take the child in as his parents are not fit to take care of him."

The UAE passed a revised version of its child protection Federal Law, formerly named Wudeema Law, in 2016.  

The law was drafted in the memory of Wudeema, an eight-year-old Emirati girl who was abused to death in Dubai in 2012. 

The legislation not only protects children under the age of 18 from abuse and neglect, but also supports their basic right to education, healthcare and shelter.

Speaking to The National, Khaled Al Kamda, director general of the Community Development Authority, said: 

“If a child’s life is in danger then we intervene immediately. The centre has the authority to go, take out the child and remove them to safety."

The law applies to anyone who comes in contact with a child whether it's a parent or a teacher. All violators of the law will be faced with a fine that starts at 5,000 dirhams and can reach 50,000 dirhams as well as up to 10 years in prison in reported cases involving physical or sexual abuse.