Married couple plead guilty to causing death of three-month-old baby under their care in Johor

JOHOR BAHRU, Aug 14 — A husband and wife were charged in the Sessions Court here today with causing the death of a three-month-old baby boy who was under their care in Masai last month.

The accused, Mohd Iqbal Hassan, 36, and his wife, Norsiayana Abd Samad, 34, pleaded guilty after the charge was read to them before Judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim.

According to the charge sheet, the couple, as persons having custody of Muhammad Saif Mohamad Sidiq, exposed the baby in a manner likely to cause him physical injury, resulting in his death.

The offence was allegedly committed at 1.03pm at a house in Jalan Cendana 21, Taman Rinting, Masai, on July 29.

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

The charge was read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which deals with joint liability.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Shamira Mohd Luthfi Ismail prosecuted, while the couple were represented by K. Bharathi of the National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK).

During the proceedings, Bharathi requested minimum bail for his clients.

He said Mohd Iqbal, a factory worker, earns RM3,000 a month, while Norsiayana earns RM2,000 as a nanny, and that the couple have a four-year-old child.

The court granted bail of RM7,000 to each accused and ordered them to report to the nearest police station once a month and surrender their passports to the court.

They were also prohibited from interfering with prosecution witnesses.

The court set September 17 for the presentation of the facts of the case and sentencing.