An Indonesian maid was sentenced to 20 years in jail after she pleaded guilty to attempting to murder and abusing a four-month-old baby boy last Friday (February 15th).
CCTV footage showed the maid, who has two children herself, was seen throwing around her employer’s four-month-old baby like a rag doll – an act that could result in the baby’s death.
Impact on society
Judge Mohd Azhar Othman, when handing out the sentence on Tuesday on the maid, Yuliana, 23, said the offense committed was very serious and had a huge impact not only on the victim’s family, but also on society.
“Your action has resulted in society being afraid and not having a peace of mind when leaving their children with their maids.
“The court feels that the sentence is commensurate with the offence committed and be a lesson to you,” he added.
Baby was not moving
The baby boy, who was allegedly hurled into the air and thrown on the floor nine times by his maid, has now been admitted to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for further examinations and treatment.
His mother, Nina Suraya Sulaiman, 24, said that she took her baby boy, Mohamed Hareez Mohd Zamri to the hospital after noticing that he was not moving around like he normally did, even in his sleep.
She told reporters, “After all the guests who came to visit him left, I tried to wake him up, thinking that he was sleeping, but there was no reaction.”
It is reported that the doctors have not yet determined what is wrong with the baby boy, but the results will be out soon.
Parents saw their son being thrown on their handphone
According to the facts of the case, the baby’s parents were out having breakfast when they watched their son being thrown and hurled by the maid through a CCTV recording on their handphone at 7.45am on the day of the incident.
The boy’s mother then called a neighbour for help and rushed home with her husband, who had contacted the police.
The police arrested the maid at 9.15am on the same day.
He is a baby NOT a rag doll
The disturbing CCTV footage shows the maid carrying the baby in the room and laying him on a towel and then lifts him up and drops him into a convenient position to be dried off. This first indication of rough handling by the maid is already disturbing, but as the video continues we are shocked when she lifts the baby boy up by the arms or legs and tosses the poor baby around like a rag doll over and over again.
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/yV_5bNFbX0g
Maid sentenced to 20 years in jail
The maid, Yuliana, was charged under Section 307 (1) of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
She was also charged under Section 31(1) (a) of the Child Act 2001 with abusing the child at the same place and time.
Yuliana was sentenced to 15 years’ jail on the first count and five years on the second count.
Signs your baby is being abused
If your baby spends time away from you – whether your baby is under the care of a maid, relative or at a daycare – it’s natural to be concerned about your child’s safety. I’m sure like any parent you’d want to know if your baby was being mistreated.
Here are some signs you can look out for that may show your baby is being physically abused:
1) You child will cry and put up a fight when it’s time to go to daycare or when you leave you baby under the care of a maid.
2) Your baby will appear frightened around the caregiver or maid.
3) You come home to find your baby with unexplained bruises, abrasions, burns, broken bones, bite marks, cuts, black eyes, or any other injury. A repeated injury of any type is a warning sign.
You should also look out for signs of shaken baby syndrome (SBS), which happens to babies who are shaken in anger.
A baby with SBS may seem:
– Glassy-eyed
– Appear rigid
– Lethargic
– Irritable
– Have a decreased appetite
– Difficulty feeding
– Vomiting
– Unable to focus his eyes on an object
– Or lift his head
In severe cases, he may have difficulty breathing, or he may have seizures, heart failure, coma, and unconsciousness.
If you suspect your baby is suffering from SBS or is being abused, call 999 right away.
Related articles:
How to keep your children safe
Is your baby crying too much?
Sources:
Maid gets 20 years’ jail for attempted murder of baby
Child abuse: How to tell if something’s wrong
