By Dorcas Ting
KUCHING, Jul 17: A nanny pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of neglecting a two-month-old baby boy in a manner that allegedly exposed him to physical injury.
The 41-year-old woman entered her plea before Judge Mursyida Abdul Halim after the charge was read to her.
She was accused of committing the offence at a residence in the Batu Kawa Resettlement Scheme at about 7am on June 18.
The prosecution brought the charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, punishable under Section 31(1) of the same Act, which provides for a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.
The court allowed bail of RM10,000 with one local surety and fixed Aug 10 for pre-trial case management.
Deputy public prosecutor Marvind Kaliyani appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by Russell Lim of the National Legal Aid Foundation.
The prosecution follows an investigation into injuries sustained by the infant, who was left in the nanny’s care together with his twin sibling.
According to the baby’s mother, the twins regularly stayed overnight at the nanny’s house before being collected the following morning.
She said she became alarmed after noticing bruising on her son’s forehead when she picked him up.
When questioned, the nanny allegedly told the family that the baby had accidentally struck his head during a bath after vomiting.
Despite the explanation, the infant continued crying after returning home. He was first taken to a private medical facility, where he reportedly suffered seizures.
The family later sought further treatment at Sarawak General Hospital after his condition failed to improve.
Medical examinations allegedly revealed bleeding in several parts of the brain, a fracture to the rear of the skull and bleeding in the eyes. — DayakDaily
