Babysitter in Penang pleads not guilty to child neglect

 The 44-year-old is accused of exposing a 13-month-old boy under her care to conditions that could have caused his death.

Noraidah Khairuddin was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both.

PETALING JAYA:

A babysitter pleaded not guilty in the George Town sessions court in Penang today to a charge of child neglect.

Bernama reported that Noraidah Khairuddin, 44, entered the plea after the charge was read out before judge Irwan Suainbon.

According to the charge, she allegedly exposed a 13-month-old boy under her care to conditions that could have caused his death at a house in Taman Desa Mawar, Lintang Kampung Melayu 2, Air Hitam, at 2pm on Sept 8.

Noraidah was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a fine of up to RM50,000, imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both.

Deputy public prosecutor M Darrshini proposed bail of RM20,000 with one surety, along with the conditions that the accused report to a nearby police station on the first day of every month and refrain from contacting the prosecution witnesses.

Naqieya Zulkernain, a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation who represented Noraidah, sought for a lower bail amount as her client is a housewife with no fixed income and three children.

The court granted bail of RM8,000 with one surety, subject to the conditions requested by the prosecution and fixed Nov 16 for case mention pending the post-mortem report. - FMT