Kindergarten teacher charged over death of boy who fell in pool

Photo: Ronnie Chin/The Star

IPOH: A teacher of a kindergarten where a four-year-old boy fell into a swimming pool and died five days later has been charged at the Magistrate's Court here.

SP Esther Christina, 58, pleaded not guilty after the charge under Section 33(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 was read before Magistrate Jesseca Daimis here on Wednesday (July 12).

As the person responsible for the boy at the time, Esther Christina allegedly left him without supervision for an unreasonable period of time at a swimming pool in Bandar Baru Sri Klebang at about 10.20am on April 17.

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If found guilty, she could be jailed up to five years, fined not more than RM20,000 or both.

On April 23, the mother of the four-year-old boy alleged during a press conference that the kindergarten's management had been negligent.

D Nilaveni, 40, said her only child, V Thanes Nair, died on April 23 at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun at about 10.35am after being admitted on the day of the incident.

Deputy public prosecutor Nor Syahirah Azahar suggested that bail be set at RM6,000.

ALSO READ: Kindergarten was negligent, claims mum of boy who died after falling into pool

Lawyer Gary Xavier, who represented Esther Christina, said the single mother lost her husband three months ago.

"She earns about RM2,200 a month and is taking care of her 80-year-old mother. She has also cooperated with the police at all times and there is no risk of her leaving the country," he said, requesting the amount to be reduced to RM2,000.

Jesseca set bail at RM2,500 with one surety and Aug 23 for mention.