Nanny claims trial to child neglect charge in Johor

Housewife Nor Huzaimah Herman, 31, being led out of the Sessions Court in Johor Baru where she was charged on April 30, 2023.

JOHOR BARU: A housewife has pleaded not guilty to child neglect, which resulted in the injury of a toddler under her care.

Nor Huzaimah Herman, 31, was charged in the Sessions Court here with neglecting a three-year-old girl, who was placed under her care, resulting in her physical injury at Block C of the Pelangi Indah Public Housing Project, Jalan Ayu 16, Taman Pelangi Indah at around 11.30am on March 21.

The accused, who was the child’s babysitter, was also seen crying after claiming trial to the charge.

She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which is punishable with a maximum fine of RM50,000 or jail term of up to 20 years, or both upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Syafiqah Sha’ari said the offence was a non-bailable one but requested a high amount of RM15,000 should the court allow for bail.

Judge Ahmad Kamal Arifin fixed bail at RM5,000 with one surety and ordered Nor Huzaimah to report to the Pelangi Indah police station monthly for the duration of the court case.

It is learnt that the toddler had passed away.

Ahmad Kamal then set July 3 for the submission of documents including the postmortem and chemist reports.

The accused was represented by lawyers R. Sangaran and Allan Lim.

On Saturday (April 29), Nor Huzaimah’s Facebook post asking the public to help her raise money for her bail and legal fees went viral on social media.

In the lengthy post, she also detailed her experience of caring for the toddler and her six-month-old sister since November last year.