Security guard did not stop suspect

The Malaysian woman whose two-year-old daughter was beheaded seemed to be homeless.

A sales promoter at Kota Raya Mall in Petaling Jaya told The Star that she would see them loitering there almost daily.

Siti Soffea, two, was beheaded on Thursday by a man who is believed to have taken her away from the mall. Her decapitated body was found by the banks of the Klang River.

The sales promoter, who did not want to be named, said of the toddler: "She was a cute girl. Most of us liked her. Some of the people working here would sometimes buy her food and drinks."

She said Ms Siti Salmy, 32, and her daughter even showered in the toilets there.

"Sometimes they would be here from morning until night. Most of the people who work here can recognise them."

She said the mother would usually spend time with her friends on the fourth storey of the mall, which houses the games arcade and karaoke area.

The sales promoter said Ms Siti Salmy was usually seen walking with plastic bags containing her clothes, and also used to bring her two other children to the mall.

"When we asked her about her other two children, she said she had sent them back to her kampung," she said.

News portal Malaysian Insider reported that the father of the child is in jail. It also quoted a police source on Friday as saying that a security guard at the mall did not attempt to stop the man from taking away Siti Soffea.

Malaysian netizens reacted with horror and disbelief after the news of the beheading broke.

Tweeted Mr Peter Cheong: "Security guard did nothing. This is criminal."

Facebook user Sivamalar Thevagar said: "Severe punishment should be imposed on those related to this case... How could this fella be so cruel. Worse than devil."

Meanwhile, the body of the man believed to be the kidnapper was found floating near the banks of Sungai Petaling Jaya, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department said.

He is believed to have jumped into the river while being chased, and drowned.

Go to tnp.sg to see video showing the suspect taking the toddler away