IPOH: A kindergarten teacher has claimed trial to a charge of leaving a child without reasonable supervision that led to the death of the four-year-old boy five days after he fell into a swimming pool in Bandar Baru Sri Klebang in April.
SP Esther Christina, 58, pleaded not guilty after being read the charge under Section 33(1)(a) of the Child Act before magistrate Jesseca Daimis here yesterday.
Esther Christina is said to have been responsible for the boy at the time, having allegedly left him without supervision for an unreasonable period of time at a swimming pool at about 10.20am on April 17.
The charge was framed under Section 33(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which provides for a maximum fine of RM20,000 or a maximum of five years in jail, or both upon conviction.
During a press conference on April 23, D. Nilaveni, 40, alleged that the kindergarten’s management had been negligent.
She said that her only child, V. Thanes Nair, died on April 23 at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun after being admitted on the day of the incident.
Lawyer Gary Xavier, who represented Esther Christina, told the court that his client, who is a single mother, is taking care of her 80-year-old mother and her husband died three months ago.
“She earns about RM2,200 a month, has cooperated with the police at all times and there is no risk of her leaving the country,” he said, asking that bail be set at RM2,000.
Jesseca set bail at RM2,500 with one surety and set Aug 23 for mention.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Syahirah Azahar prosecuted.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Yahaya Hassan refuted claims that the investigation into the case had not been transparent.
