5-Year-Old Boy Dies After Being Left In A Locked School Van For Hours
The boy's father said he was heartbroken to learn that his son may have tried to escape.
By May Vin Ang — 02 May 2025, 12:00 PM
A 5-year-old boy has died after being left in a locked school van for hours
According to the New Straits Times, Iskandar Puteri district police chief ACP M Kumarasan said the student was left behind after the driver dropped off the other children at their kindergarten in Taman Bukit Indah, Johor, at 7.30am on Wednesday, 30 April
The boy was found unconscious in the vehicle at around noon and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
His body has been sent to Sultanah Aminah Hospital for a post-mortem.
Police have since arrested the 56-year-old van driver to assist with the investigation
The man, who has no prior criminal record and tested negative for drugs, was detained at 2.40pm the same day.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for negligence resulting in harm to a child.
The boy's grieving father, 37-year-old Teo Jia, said he was heartbroken to learn that his only child was found near the van's door
He suggested that his son may have tried to escape the vehicle but failed.
"I am very disappointed. The van driver should have properly checked and ensured that all the children had exited before locking the van or going home.
"My son might have fallen asleep at that time, and the driver probably didn't notice him," he said.
Teo also questioned the kindergarten's procedures, stating, "They should have checked the attendance. If a child is absent, they should contact the family to ask where the child is."
The father expressed hope that the police would carry out a thorough investigation and take appropriate action, so that no other child suffers the same fate.
