KUALA LUMPUR (The Star/Asia News Network) - The police have denied that the mother of decapitated two-year-old toddler Siti Soffea Emelda Abdullah is in their custody.

Police Assisstant Commissioner Zainuddin Ahmad said all factors needed to be considered before investigaing Mr Siti Salmy Suib, 32, for negligence.

"We have to consider that Siti Salmy had left her daughter in the care of her friends before she went missing.

"We cannot assume she left the child to wander alone," said Mr Zainuddin, adding that there were no closed-circuit television recordings showing Siti Soffea on her own.

Mr Sity Salmy claimed to have left the toddler with friends when she was using the toilet on the fourth floor of the Kota Raya complex at about 3pm on May 29.

When she came back about five minutes later, Siti Soffea was not with her friends.

Mr Zainuddin added that the police were still recording statements from Ms Siti Salmy's friends and refuted claims that she and the 27-year-old suspect knew each other.

"When we questioned her, Sity Salmy said that she did not know who he was.

"We urge the media and public to tone down speculation on the case and respect the victim's family," he said.

Mr Zainuddin said that the police have informed the suspect's family of his death.

"He left home 15 years ago and had not been in contact with his family since," he added.

On Ms Sity Salmy's whereabouts, Mr Zainuddin said that she could be be living with her family in Petaling Jaya.

"We are still investigating possible motives behind the child's decapitation," he added, dismissing reports of it being a ritual killing.