TAIF, 22 August 2007 — Investigations have been launched into the death of a 16-year-old disabled boy at the Rehabilitation Center in Taif, according to Al-Madinah newspaper. The boy was reportedly hit over the head by another disabled resident at the center and not transferred to hospital for three days after being injured, the paper said.
Ata Allah Al-Juaid, father of Abdul Majeed Al-Juaid, said that he was shocked to receive a call from the King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital in Taif telling him that his son had died.
“I went to the hospital and was told that he was hit over the head and died of brain hemorrhage,” he said, adding that Abdul Majeed was brought to hospital on July 22 and died on Aug. 4.
Ata Allah also expressed his dissatisfaction at the Rehabilitation Center for not informing him that his son was injured.
“They did not call me to inform me about the accident, or that Abdul Majeed had been transferred to hospital,” he said.
Ata Allah said that his son was treated at the center for three days and that the people in charge did not realize that his injuries were severe.
“When my son was transferred to hospital it turned out that his case was serious. He was admitted to the intensive care unit and underwent operations,” said Ata Allah, adding that he has received a death certificate stating that the injury was caused when Abdul Majeed tripped over.
“What is strange is that the police pointed out that the person who was supervising my son is a cook at the center,” said Ata Allah, adding that he wonders how a cook could take care of a disabled child. The father urged the Ministry of Social Affairs to interfere in the case and punish those responsible.
He also said that he has refused to receive Abdul Majeed’s body unless the death is properly investigated.
A source at the Ministry of Social Affairs said that investigations are under way and will include everyone involved in the case.
Turki Al-Shihri, a spokesman for Taif police, said that under the request of the victim’s father investigations are under way.
He added that according to medical reports, the death was caused by the 16-year-old being hit by a fellow resident.
Al-Shihri added that the disabled boy, who caused the death of Abdul Majeed, could not be questioned because of his health condition.
