Babysitter claims trial to neglect charge over 10-month-old boy's death
BUTTERWORTH: A babysitter pleaded not guilty at the Sessions Court here to neglecting a 10-month-old boy, resulting in his death on Oct 19.
In Butterworth, a babysitter named Nurfitrah Mohd Raziff, aged 25, entered a not guilty plea at the Sessions Court to neglecting a 10-month-old boy, leading to his death on October 19. The charge was brought under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which imposes penalties of up to RM50,000 in fines, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.
Nurfitrah was accused of neglecting the boy between 5:40 am and 10:15 am at a residence in Sungai Dua. The child's mother had entrusted him to her care when he was healthy. Later, Nurfitrah sought her husband's assistance to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before the child was taken to the Sungai Dua Health Clinic, but he succumbed to his injuries before reaching the clinic.
A post-mortem examination revealed the boy had died from head injuries resulting from blunt force trauma. Deputy public prosecutor Nadhirah Abdul Rahi objected to granting bail, proposing that if released, Nurfitrah surrender her passport and report to a police station monthly. However, defence counsel Y. Yogeswaran argued for bail, citing her client's monthly earnings of RM1,800 to RM2,000, which support her family, including three children.
Nurfitrah's mother was present in court, and her defence lawyer noted her cooperation with the police throughout the investigation. The court granted bail of RM10,000 with one surety and ordered Nurfitrah to surrender her passport if she possessed one. The next mention for document submission was set for November 27.
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