KUALA LUMPUR: The founder of a welfare home is expected to be charged at the Sessions Court here on Friday (Aug 20) with neglect towards children.

       Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan, who confirmed the matter on Thursday (Aug 19), said: "The founder will be charged under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001.

       "We investigated the matter as the founder was believed to have neglected the children under her care," he said.

       The 29-year-old woman had previously filed for the right to regain custody of her five foster children, who are currently under the care of the Welfare Department.

       In July, it was reported that the woman was detained by police after giving her statement at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters to assist an investigation into the alleged abuse of a disabled teenage girl.

       The police had sought to remand the woman but their application was rejected by a Magistrate's Court.

       The 13-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, who is also known as Bella, was believed to have been assaulted at a welfare home run by an NGO in the city.

       The home was sealed following a court order on July 5.

       The Welfare Department's Child Protection Unit also rescued six children from the home.

       The incident caught the attention of the public, who sympathised with Bella's predicament.