PETALING JAYA: The fate of Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin's mother will be decided by the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court on Friday (Oct 31).
The court will decide if Ismanira Abdul Manaf, 30, is to be acquitted or convicted of neglect resulting in physical harm to her six-year-old autistic son, reported Sinar Harian.
Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh is set to deliver the decision at 9am.
The mother-of-two faces charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which is punishable by a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both upon conviction.
If the court finds that she has succeeded in raising reasonable doubt at the end of the defence case, Ismanira will be released.
On July 21 this year, Judge Syahliza ordered Ismanira to enter her defence after ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against her.
Her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, 30, was discharged and acquitted of the same charge as the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against him.
A total of 28 witnesses were present to give evidence against both accused between Feb 3 and April 24 this year.
On June 13 last year, Zaim Ikhwan and Ismanira, pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court to a charge of neglecting their six-year-old autistic son in a manner likely to cause physical harm, along PJU Damansara Damai between noon on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023.
The prosecution team consists of Deputy Public Prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz and Kamarul Iman Ahmad Sapian.
Ismanira is represented by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh.
Zayn Rayyan was reported missing on Dec 5, 2023, and his body was discovered in a stream near his home at Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, the following day.
He was believed to have been murdered, and an autopsy revealed injuries to his neck and body, consistent with self-defence.
