KUCHING: A local woman was charged in the Sessions Court for abusing her biological daughter to the point of causing physical injury on May 19.
The offender Safina John, 27, pleaded not guilty as soon as the charge was read before Judge Afidah Abdul Rahman today.
According to the charge, she was the caretaker of a ten-year-old and five-month-old child in a flat in Siburan, at about 8 pm on May 19.
She was charged in accordance with Section 31(1)(a) of the Children Act 2001 (Amendment 2016) Act 611.
If convicted, she can be punished with a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or both.
It is understood that her neighbour lodged a police report after hearing suspicious noises in the next room.
In addition, the victim, who suffered injuries in the back, was immediately taken to the hospital for further treatment.
During the proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Iezzah Iburdanisha Ibrahim did not offer any bail for the accused because the offence was a non-bailable offence.
If bail is offered, it is RM20,000 with a surety.
However, the accused requested that the bail be reduced to RM15,000 without a surety.
The court allowed the accused to be released on a cash bail of RM15,000 with two local sureties in addition to setting a date for re-mention for case management on July 3.
