Follow-up investigations have revealed the 36-year-old suspect was paid to look after the child, Muhammad Adam at the house in Gemencheh.

This followed police interrogation of the woman who claimed Muhammad was her friend’s son and not hers, said Tampin police chief, Supt Hamazah Ab Razak.

“Further investigations are being carried out to confirm the matter while the woman will be remanded until tomorrow.

“To date, we have not identified the boy’s biological mother whom the suspect claims is her friend.

“We need to call several witnesses to record their statements (to facilitate investigations),” he said in a statement here today.

Hamazah said police may consider conducting a DNA test after locating Muhammad’s real mother.

“The Social Welfare Department is evaluating the boy’s fitness level … following an offer by the boy’s maternal grandfather to care for him,” he added.

On Friday, a hungry and frightened Muhammad was found crying at a house in Kampung Parit Buluh, Air Kuning Selatan near Tampin about 1am.

The child was believed to have been left alone by his mother from 6pm on Thursday before police and villagers broke into the house, the following day.

Currently, Muhammad is undergoing observation at the Tampin Hospital.