A MARRIED couple pleaded guilty in the Johor Bharu Sessions Court today to exposing a three-month-old baby boy in their care to physical harm that resulted in his death last month.
Mohd Iqbal Hassan, 36, and Norsiayana Abd Samad, 34, entered their pleas after an amended charge was read out before Sessions Court Judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim.
According to the charge, the couple, who had custody of the three-month-and-11-day-old baby, exposed him in a manner that was likely to cause physical injury, resulting in his death.
The offence allegedly took place at a house in Jalan Cendana 21, Taman Rinting, Masai, at about 1.03pm on July 29.
They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act (Amendment) 2006, punishable under the same section read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, the offence carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, a fine of up to RM50,000, or both.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Shamira Mohd Luthfi Ismail appeared for the prosecution, while both accused were represented by National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyer K Bharathi.
The court granted bail of RM7,000 for each accused, with additional conditions requiring them to report to the nearest police station once a month, surrender their passports to the court and refrain from contacting or interfering with prosecution witnesses.
The court fixed Sept 17 for mention, when the prosecution is expected to present the facts of the case before sentencing. - August 14, 2026
