We’re all too familiar with child abuse cases involving domestic helpers and baby sitters. But over the past few weeks, news of a five-year-old Malaysian girl who had been brutally caned by her mother, received huge media attention as one of the worst parental child abuse cases in recent years.
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Alleged incidence of brutal caning
According to Malaysian news site, The Star Online, on 12 August 2013, the five-year-old girl was warded in the Intensive Care Unit of Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, after doctors suspected that she had been subjected to a brutal caning by her mother.
The girl was brought to the hospital by her 39-year-old father, and police was called to the hospital after doctors noticed bruises and lacerations all over her body and head.
Both parents were arrested in their home at Taman Wang, Mengelembu the next day.
Tragically, according to the latest news reports, the girl died on Sunday, 25 August after being in a comatose state for 11 days.
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Mum pleaded not guilty
The girl’s mother, Choong Mei Chee, 30 and her 39-year-old husband, who is a welder, were remanded from 18 to 22 August 2013 to facilitate investigations. Choong was charged under Section 325 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt and under Section 31(1) of the Child Protection Act for abusing the child.
If found guilty, she stands to be jailed for up to 10 years or fined up to RM20,00, or both.
Choong later pleaded not guilty to the charges of beating her child, while her husband was not charged.
A case of mental unstability?
Choong claimed trial for both charges before Magistrate Suhaima Mohd Noor on 20 August 2013.
Allowing Choong a RM10,000 bail with one surety, Suhaima ordered her not to go near her daughter (who was, at the time, still in coma) and for her to undergo psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta.
Choong’s counsel Chong Kok Yew said she was willing to plead guilty to the charge under the Child Protection Act should the other charge be withdrawn. He reported that Choong admitted to caning her daughter on her legs and hands, but not on the head as alleged.
Choong has claimed to be suffering from mental depression and asked to be sent for observation.
Suhaima has fixed a re-mention of this case on 20 September 2013.
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Speak up, get help!
If you know or suspect someone who is mentally unsound or is a victim of child abuse, please speak up, you could save a child’s life. Being young and helpless, children may not have the courage to tell an adult about the abuse. Mentally unsound adults (parents and caretakers in particular) may not be aware that their actions are causing harm to their loved ones. If you are suffering from depression or are under extraordinary stress, please seek help and remove yourself from the care of any children.
Here are some toll-free numbers you can call in Singapore:
Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444
Child Protection Service: 1800-777-0000
This case has received a lot of attention due to the severity of the beating, which has tragically led to the death of a young child. As a parent, what were your first thoughts upon reading about this sad and shocking news? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment box below.