Ex-My First Skool childcare teacher charged with ill-treating 2-year-old boy

The former childcare teacher who allegedly abused a 2-year-old boy at My First Skool childcare centre, Toa Payoh in July 2013 was charged in a district court this week. Keep reading for the full details…

There may have been way too many news reports of child abuse and accidental injuries at childcare centres in Singapore within the last year, but there is a particular case that will always be on our minds as we wonder what the outcome will be.

The former part-time teacher who was recorded allegedly abusing a toddler on closed-circuit cameras was charged in court on Tuesday, 21 January 2014.

Siti Hadijah Mohamed Sin, 51, who was working at the My First Skool childcare centre at Block 192 Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, is accused of ill-treating a boy – who was then 2 years old – by grabbing his arms and forcefully heaving him backwards towards the floor, twice.

The incident, which allegedly occurred on 5 July 2013, caused the boy to suffer a fracture in his left shin. Siti Hadijah was then dismissed from My First Skool (which is run by NTUC), and the boy’s parents have pulled him out from the childcare centre as well.

Court details

Investigations kicked off after the 2-minute video clip from the centre’s CCTV camera went viral.

According to media reports, Siti Hadijah appeared in court with her husband and 5 other relatives. Her lawyer, Satwant Singh, reportedly asked for more time to make representations to the Attorney-General’s Chambers – as he had just been briefed about the case.

Siti Hadijah is due to appear in court again on 18 February 2014. If convicted, she could face a fine of up to $4,000 and a jail term of up to 4 years.

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