A father and his girlfriend in Johor Baru have been charged at the Sessions Court for abandoning his seven-year-old son, leading to the child’s malnutrition. R. Thayalan, 37, and K. Mageswari, 39, pled guilty to the charges under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001.
The duo neglected the child between July and October 12 of this year, according to the charge sheet. The incident took place at a house in Jalan Pulai Jaya 1/2, Taman Pulai Jaya.
If convicted, they could face a fine of up to RM50,000, a maximum jail term of 20 years, or both. Mageswari also faces an additional charge for causing physical injury to the victim’s right hand, to which she pled not guilty.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Public Prosecutors S. Thiviya and Umar Faiz Abdul Kohar, while both accused individuals were unrepresented.
During the proceedings, Thayalan, a van driver, requested a lower bail amount, citing his responsibilities of caring for his 64-year-old mother, paying rent, and handling car expenses. Mageswari, in her defense, also requested a lower bail amount, explaining that she is currently unemployed and has a three-year-old daughter to care for.
In response, Judge Fatimah Zahari set bail at RM6,000 for each accused, with one surety, and imposed additional terms requiring them to report to the police station monthly and surrender their international passports to the court.
The next mention and counsel appointment are scheduled for November 21.
The couple was arrested by the police on October 13 around 4:13pm following a report from a woman who found the child locked in a toilet, naked, at a flat in Taman Pulai Jaya. The victim is currently under the care of the Welfare Department and is receiving treatment at Sultanah Aminah Hospital.
