IPOH, Aug 20 — A mother pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate Court here today on two counts of child abuse after beating her five-year-old daughter into coma on Aug 12.
Choong Mee Chin, a 30-year-old housewife, claimed trial after the charges were read to her before Magistrate Suhaima Mohd Noor.
She was alleged to have used a cane to beat the girl on the head and body at their home in Taman Wang, Menglembu at 9 am on Aug 12.
The offence under Section 31 (1) of the Child Act 2001 carries a maximum fine of RM20,000 or jail term of 10 years, or both, if convicted.
She was also alleged to have caused grievous injuries to the victim on the same day and at the same time and place.
For that, she was charged under Section 325 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum jail term of seven years and fine, if convicted.
Suhaima allowed Choong bailed of RM10,000 in one surety and ordered the accused to stay away from the victim, who is now in coma at the intensive care unit of Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital.
“If the restraining order is violated, the bail will be revoked. The court also granted the application made by the defence that the accused be sent to Hospital Bahagia for mental observation,” she said.
September 20 was fixed for remention.
Deputy public prosecutor Muhammad Fauzi Md Yusof prosecuted, while Choong was represented by defence lawyer Chong Kok Yew. — Bernama
