JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 15 — A babysitter was fined RM40,000, in default 10 months jail, by the Sessions Court here today, on two charges of negligence involving two babies under her care at a daycare centre in Taman Mutiara Rini, in March.
Judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim meted out the sentence on Nurul Shahira A'shiqin Sulaiman, 28, who maintained her guilty plea after the charges were read out again during sentencing today.
The judge also ordered Nurul Shahira to serve a bond of good behaviour for two years with a surety of RM20,000 for each charge and 100 hours of community service within the next six months for both offences.
Che Wan said as a trusted caregiver at the daycare centre, she had acted recklessly with the babies, which might have caused them physical injuries.
“Therefore, the court should mete out a sentence that would serve as a lesson to you, the community, kindergarten or daycare centres, that they must be careful in future,” he said.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Syafiqah Sha'ari appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was represented by lawyer Syufri A. Samad.
On May 21, Nurul Shahira A'shiqin pleaded guilty to acting negligently with a nine-month-old baby girl and a seven-month-old baby boy at a daycare centre located at Jalan Utama 34, Taman Mutiara Rini, here at about 1pm in March.
She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years or a fine of up to RM50,000 or both, and may also be ordered to execute a bond of good behaviour.
On May 15, two video clips one 48 seconds and the other 39 seconds long made rounds on social media showing her handling the crying babies roughly.
-- Bernama
