IPOH: A housewife has been charged with the murder of her friend’s five-year-old daughter who was under her care.
Wan Fatimah Zahra Wan Abdullah, 27, nodded to indicate that she understood the charge when it was read out before magistrate S. Punitha.
No plea was recorded as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly murdered Iman Adelia Yusullah at a house in Jalan Kledang Raya 23, Taman Malcop here between June 5 and June 10.
Wan Fatimah faces the death penalty, or up to 40 years jail with no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane, if found guilty.
Punitha scheduled Aug 28 for case mention pending the chemist’s report.
Deputy public prosecutor Vatchira Wong Rui Fern appeared for the prosecution while the accused was not represented.
The victim’s family members from Pahang were present in court during the proceedings.
The victim’s mother was observed crying and before leaving the court, asked the accused, “Why did you do this to my daughter?”
It was reported on June 11 that the child was suspected to have been abused, leading to her death.
Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad had said that the accused and her 66-year-old husband had been looking after the girl for a few months before the incident.
He detailed injuries consistent with blunt force trauma all over the victim’s body, along with tears in her private parts and anus.
