TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent
theAsianparent
Product Guide
  • Together Against RSV
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Child
  • Feeding & Nutrition
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
  • Holiday Hub
  • Aptamil
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP
Login
    • Articles
  • Together Against RSVTogether Against RSV
  • PregnancyPregnancy
  • ParentingParenting
  • ChildChild
  • Feeding & NutritionFeeding & Nutrition
  • EducationEducation
  • LifestyleLifestyle
  • EventsEvents
  • Holiday HubHoliday Hub
  • AptamilAptamil
  • TAP RecommendsTAP Recommends
  • ShoppingShopping
  • Press ReleasesPress Releases
  • Project SidekicksProject Sidekicks
  • CommunityCommunity
  • Advertise With UsAdvertise With Us
  • Contact UsContact Us
  • VIPVIP
    • Community
  • Poll
  • Photos
  • Food
  • Recipes
  • Topics
  • Read Articles
    • Tracker
  • Pregnancy Tracker
  • Baby Tracker
    • Rewards
  • RewardsRewards
  • Contests
  • VIP ParentsVIP Parents
    • More
  • Feedback

Privacy PolicyCommunity GuidelinesSitemap HTML

Download our free app

google play store
app store

[UPDATE] Mother's Day tragedy – Indonesian maid to be charged over death of baby girl

10 May, 2016
[UPDATE] Mother's Day tragedy – Indonesian maid to be charged over death of baby girl

The family's domestic helper was initially uncontactable when the baby was found dead, after leaving home bright and early in the morning

Update:

Straits Times has reported that Maryani Bte Usman Utar is to be charged for causing the death of one-year-old Richelle Teo Yan Jia.

The police had arrested Maryani in the Marina Bay area on the afternoon of Mother’s Day.

On Monday afternoon, police officers took her to the Housing Board flat where she worked in Simei Street 4, her wrists and ankles in restraints.

According to the family, Richelle’s father was praying in the bedroom while she slept on the morning of Mother’s Day. Her mother and older brother were out at the time. Richelle’s father tried to wake her up but found out that she was unconscious.

He then took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead at 10:08am.

Richelle’s grandfather, Mr Teo Xiong Kun, 81, told Lianhe Wanbao that his family had repeatedly tried to call the maid after the incident, but she could not be reached.

Maryani was believed to have worked for the family for more than a year. It was reportedly her first job in Singapore.

Her aunt told the Chinese newspaper that Richelle’s brother had yet to understand that his sister had died. She also mentioned that relatives often visited Richelle’s family during the weekends.

—

Chinese newspaper Wanbao reported that Singaporean family woke up to bad news on Mother’s Day last Sunday, when they noticed their 1-year-old baby girl lying motionless on the floor.

The baby girl just celebrated her birthday 5 days ago.

She was found dead with bruises on her neck and the family believes that the baby must have been strangled or has suffocated to death.

The tragedy happened at Block 225 Simei Street 4 at about 9:20am.

The prime suspect of the case is the family’s domestic helper; 30 year-old Maryani Bte Usman Utar. She was initially uncontactable when the baby was found dead, after leaving home bright and early in the morning. 

However, the police eventually caught her at Marina Bay Sands later that afternoon.

How to cope with the loss of a child

The first year after a child’s death is the most difficult. Give yourself time to grieve and do it well. There is no need to rush back into your daily routine after the death of a child. Don’t be afraid to cry. Tears are a release and an essential part of the grief work.

Never take this opportunity to harm yourself or become dysfunctional. If you feel that your emotions are getting out of control, do not be afraid to seek external help from family members or friends or even professional help. Bear in mind there is nothing wrong with seeking help.

Try channeling your attention to an activity such as writing or exercise. Also, don’t rush in keeping away your child’s toys or belongings. Do it one day at a time.

Talking to someone who has been through the same experience is a also a great help. No one else understands the pain of a bereaved parent better than the one who has been through the same experience.

 

KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital also provides support group services.

Partner Stories
KKH-MCHRI Joins Landmark Study To Establish First Global System To Track Health Before Pregnancy
KKH-MCHRI Joins Landmark Study To Establish First Global System To Track Health Before Pregnancy
Metro Celebrates 69th Anniversary with Launch of SLEEPLAB on World Sleep Day
Metro Celebrates 69th Anniversary with Launch of SLEEPLAB on World Sleep Day
Make Birthdays Extra Sweet with Museum of Ice Cream’s Birthday Party Package
Make Birthdays Extra Sweet with Museum of Ice Cream’s Birthday Party Package
Hop into Singapore’s Largest Easter Celebration at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Hop into Singapore’s Largest Easter Celebration at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve

For more information, visit their website.

Source: theindependent

(Image credit: theindependent)

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Aisyah Amin

  • Home
  • /
  • News
  • /
  • [UPDATE] Mother's Day tragedy – Indonesian maid to be charged over death of baby girl
Share:
  • Singapore Zoo’s First-Ever Litter Of Sri Lankan Leopard Cubs Make Their Public Debut

    Singapore Zoo’s First-Ever Litter Of Sri Lankan Leopard Cubs Make Their Public Debut

  • KKH-MCHRI Joins Landmark Study To Establish First Global System To Track Health Before Pregnancy
    Partner Stories

    KKH-MCHRI Joins Landmark Study To Establish First Global System To Track Health Before Pregnancy

  • Metro Celebrates 69th Anniversary with Launch of SLEEPLAB on World Sleep Day
    Partner Stories

    Metro Celebrates 69th Anniversary with Launch of SLEEPLAB on World Sleep Day

  • Singapore Zoo’s First-Ever Litter Of Sri Lankan Leopard Cubs Make Their Public Debut

    Singapore Zoo’s First-Ever Litter Of Sri Lankan Leopard Cubs Make Their Public Debut

  • KKH-MCHRI Joins Landmark Study To Establish First Global System To Track Health Before Pregnancy
    Partner Stories

    KKH-MCHRI Joins Landmark Study To Establish First Global System To Track Health Before Pregnancy

  • Metro Celebrates 69th Anniversary with Launch of SLEEPLAB on World Sleep Day
    Partner Stories

    Metro Celebrates 69th Anniversary with Launch of SLEEPLAB on World Sleep Day

Feed

Feed

Get tailored articles about parenting, lifestyle, expert opinions right at your fingertips

Poll

Poll

Participate in interesting polls and see what other parents think!

Photos

Photos

Share the photos of loved ones in a safe, secure manner.

Topics

Topics

Join communities to bond with fellow mums and dads.

Tracker

Tracker

Track your pregnancy as well as baby’s development day-by-day!

theAsianparent

Download our free app

Google PlayApp Store

Mums around the world

Singapore flag
Singapore
Thailand flag
Thailand
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
Philippines flag
Philippines
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
Vietnam flag
Vietnam

Partner Brands

Rumah123VIP ParentsMama's ChoiceTAP Awards

© Copyright theAsianparent 2026 . All rights reserved

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it