We’ve all heard our fair share of maid horror stories. Once again this issue is back in the spotlight after a video of a maid allegedly throwing an infant went viral this week.
The video footage, which had come from a CCTV camera within the home of the child shows the Indonesian maid throwing the infant child, alleged to be only four months old, around like a rag doll.
The images are disturbing and bizarre as the maid seems to switch modes from caring surrogate of the little baby to crazed maid bent on severely hurting the baby.
I’ve got my eye on you
According to a Straits Times report, the incident happened in Malaysia last Friday, 15th February, and the baby’s mother, Nina Suraya Sulaiman, had been out for breakfast during that time. She had apparently told The Star newspaper that she was alerted to the abuse after seeing the incident on her mobile phone which was linked to the CCTV in her home. She had reportedly put in the CCTV camera to keep an eye on her domestic helper.
He’s a baby NOT a rag doll
The video which is slightly over two minutes shows the 24 year-old-maid carrying the baby in a towel as though from a bath. She lays him down on the towel and then proceeds to lift him lightly and drop him into a more convenient position to dry him off.
This first indication of rough handling is already disturbing but as the video continues on, there are other instances where she lifts the baby up by the hands and plonks him right down again and again. The final act of abuse was when she lifts him over her head and drops him down her back just as if the baby was a rag doll.
We can only imagine the cries of the baby during those moments and feel deeply for his parents.
Images are graphic and disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
https://youtu.be/yBSAL-BNTNQ
The boy was rushed to hospital after he was found to be unresponsive following the incident. The maid in question has since been arrested by police and will be charged for child abuse.
Outrage online
Readers who have seen the video have reacted with outrage and horror at the abuse the baby boy received in the hands of the maid. Some of the comments that we have received on our Facebook page include:
Norfitri Shah: A cruel woman with no heart towards an innocent child… Cruel…pity the baby… Not all indonesian maid are like that. cos my sister’s Bibik is really a nice and patience lady… not cruel and bad as this crazy woman… sad for the poor little life…
Leila Matienzo: oh my GOD what a psycho woman!! how can she do that to an innocent bby?…hire a filipina nanny instead..coz filipinos are family oriented.
Stephanie Lim: She is too cruel! Not all Indonesian helpers are not family oriented. I have an Indonesian helper with me almost 2years although she is slow but she has a true heart towards my twin boys. All of us in the family treat her as a part of our family and my twin boys like her too. So dun because of one, judge the rest. That is not right.
Paula Robinson: I am glad the family installed cameras. It is def a talk all employers should have with a helper BEFORE hiring them to watch your children. Any abuse case, be it by parents, other family, or hired help is tragic. Children should be loved and protected… Please report if you have suspicions it is happening to ANYONE!
Shereen Khan: Is the baby fine? Still fully healthy even after this shocking incident? Oh gosh. I pray for this little baby. I can’t bear to watch this video as I have a baby too. So heart breaking to read about it. Brought me to tears and heart ache.
Mel Aidan Ian Huz: 20 yrs inprisonment is not enuf for tis crazy maid to cause the baby’s death. Nothing can make up for this cruelty.
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Update
According to a report on Malaysian TV channel NTV7, the accused maid, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and abuse of the four-month-old boy. She has been sentenced to 20 years jail by Judge Mohd Azhar Othman which she will serve immediately.[/stextbox]
Alternatives to hiring a domestic helper
Incidents such as this might make us reconsider hiring a nanny or domestic helper to look after our child, yet, there are not many alternatives for families where both parents are working full time.
However, parents might want to consider these other options before hiring a nanny or domestic helper to care for their baby.
- Get help from a family member such as grandparents or in-laws
- Consider putting your child in infant care
- Put your child in the care of a trusted neighbour
Read on to find out what you should look out for when hiring a nanny or domestic helper.
Other articles that you might be interested in:
Maid in Singapore
Maid abuses disabled child
