KOTA TINGGI: A 61-year-old babysitter pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to a charge of causing the death of a nine-month-old boy recently.
Chia Muy Hoong made the plea after the charge was read out to her before Sessions Court judge Hayda Faridzal Abu Hasan yesterday.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, having the care of the child, abused him by causing injury to the left rear part of the head, leading to death.
The offence was allegedly committed at Jalan Intan 4, Taman Intan Jaya, Mersing, between Dec 6, 2024, and Jan 12, 2025.
The charge was brought under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a penalty under the same section, providing for a fine not exceeding RM50,000, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.
Additionally, the court may order the accused to complete a bond with a guarantor to ensure good behaviour for a specified period under conditions set by the court and to perform community service.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Khairuddin Khalid prosecuted the case while lawyer Amy Law Siew Tin represented the accused.
During the proceedings, Ahmad Khairuddin proposed bail of RM20,000 with one surety, along with additional conditions requiring the accused to report to the police station and refrain from contacting any witnesses, particularly the victim’s family.
However, Law requested a lower bail amount, arguing that her client was the sole breadwinner for the family and cared for her husband, who holds a disability (OKU) status.
“Babysitting has been the accused’s main occupation, with over 20 years of experience in the field. She has no prior criminal record, and this is her first charge.
“I respectfully request the court to reduce the bail amount to RM5,000, which is a more affordable sum for the accused,” she said.
The court subsequently granted bail of RM5,000 with one surety, along with the additional terms for the accused to report to the Mersing district police headquarters once a month and prohibiting her from contacting any witnesses, especially the victim’s family.
The case is set for further mention and submission of documents on Feb 24.
The accused posted bail.
Recently, it was reported that a babysitter had been arrested here in connection with the death of a nine-month-old boy.
It was learned that the baby was admitted to the hospital here with injuries on Jan 12.
The hospital lodged a police report the following day and the infant succumbed to his injuries on Jan 14.
The babysitter was arrested the next day.
