Mother, housemate charged with child abuse and negligence
NST
JOHOR BAHRU: A single mother and her housemate were charged on two counts at Sessions Court here today for abusing and neglecting her child since last month.
The mother and the housemate pleaded not guilty before judge Fatimah Zahari.
The duo was escorted by the police at around 8.40am while their family members were also present at the court gallery.
For the first charge, both of them were accused of abusing the boy under their care until he sustained physical injuries while the other charge was for neglecting the seven-year-old that was under their care.
They were accused of committing the offense at a house in Jalan Wau Kikik 7, Bandar Layangkasa, Pasir Gudang here between July 1 to Aug 9.
The duo was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of Child Act 2001 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code which carries a fine up to RM50,000 or maximum jail time of 20 years, or both if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Diyana Zubir offered a high bail of RM30,000 for each accused with several additional conditions including to stay away and not to contact the victim.
"The first accused is the mother of the victim who took him away from the care of the grandparents at Pokok Sena in Kedah to here, but she failed to care for him resulting in physical injuries and neglected him.
"The second accused is a Singaporean who lived together in the house and though has no blood relations, was given the responsibility to take care of the victim at home.
"The child is now at hospital being cared for by his uncle while waiting for the Social Welfare Department to decide on child custody," she said.
Lawyer Abd Rahim Ali, who represented both, requested for a lower bail as both were still not found to be guilty of the charges.
He also objected to the claim against the first accused that the boy was taken away as the accused was his own mother and therefore he should be under her care.
"There is no risk that the first accused will disturb the victim as the custody will be determined by the Social Welfare Department and no risk of escaping as she is no longer working since two months ago, has no passport, and has another child, a nine-year-old under her care.
"For the second accused, she is working in Singapore but residing in Pasir Gudang and has a valid passport and permit," he said.
Judge Fatimah allowed RM15,000 bail with a surety for the mother while the housemate was allowed bail at RM20,000 with a local surety.
She also set additional requirements for both to report at the nearest police station once a month until the case is disposed of and warned not to disturb the victim.
Case is fixed Sept 27 for mention pending a medical report of the victim from Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI).
