KOTA KINABALU: A 64-year-old woman, Chong Chau Ying, was sentenced to five years in jail after abandoning a four-month-old baby in her care, resulting in the infant’s death.
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Sessions Court Judge Hurman Hussain also ordered a three-year good behavior bond with RM3,000 deposited, and 36 hours of community service within six months after release, or RM5,000 in default.
Chong was convicted under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for abandoning the baby at Taman Sinar Baru on Nov 11, 2022. The offence carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a RM50,000 fine, or both.
Prosecutor Fazriel Fardiansyah Abdul Kadir described the act as gross neglect leading to suffocation and criticized Chong for delaying help for nearly an hour.
The baby’s parents, both doctors, told the court their lives were devastated, suffering from depression and PTSD.
Chong has applied for a stay of execution pending appeal, and the court advised filing a formal notice of appeal. Six prosecution and three defence witnesses testified during the trial.
