JOHOR BARU: A 31-year-old housewife charged with child neglect of a toddler under her care burst into tears when the judge asked her the ages of her own children.
Nor Huzaimah Herman has earlier pleaded not guilty at a Sessions Court here to child neglect over an injury to the toddler, who later died.
Facing the law: Nor Huzaimah being led out of the Sessions Court in Johor Baru.
She was babysitting the three-year-old girl during the incident at Block C of the Pelangi Indah Public Housing Project in Jalan Ayu 16, Taman Pelangi Indah here, at around 11.30am on March 21.
It is learnt that the toddler, Nur Qalbi Azzalea Abdul Muhaimin, died on March 28.
Nor Huzaimah, who claimed trial to a charge of neglect which resulted in the toddler’s physical injury under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act, now faces a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a jail term of up to 20 years, or both.Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Syafiqah Sha’ari requested higher bail of RM15,000.
However, Nor Huzaimah’s counsel R. Sangaran asked the court to allow bail at RM5,000, adding that the accused’s husband works as a labourer with a monthly salary of only RM2,000.
Sangaran also told the court that Nor Huzaimah has four children who are still studying in primary and secondary school.
When judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Arifin asked about the ages of her children, Nor Huzaimah burst into tears and sobbed in the stand.
The judge then allowed 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.
He also set July 3 for the submission of documents, including the post-mortem and chemist reports.
Sangaran said Nor Huzaimah posted bail.
On Saturday, a Facebook post by Nor Huzaimah asking the public to help her raise money for bail and legal fees made the rounds on social media with more than 7,800 shares as at press time.
