Babysitter fined RM20,000 for abusing one-year-old in Kuching

KUCHING (Feb 4): A babysitter was fined RM20,000 in default 12 months’ jail after she pleaded guilty at Sessions Court here to abusing a one-year-old boy by tying him to a chair, causing him to suffer injuries.

Judge Musli Ab Hamid also imposed a three-year good behaviour bond of RM2,000 with one local surety against Carol Phan, 22, in accordance with Section 31(2)(b) of the Child Act 2001 read together with Section 31(3A) of the same Act.

In addition, Phan was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service within a period not exceeding six months from the date of the order.

The charge against the accused was framed under Section 31(1) of the Child Act 2001, punishable under the same Act, which carries a fine not exceeding RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

According to the charge, Phan, as the person entrusted with the care of the child, abused the victim by using a piece of cloth to tie the child to a chair, causing injuries to the child’s body.

She committed the offence at a house in Taman Hui Sing here at about 3pm on Dec 4, 2025.

Based on the facts of the case, the child’s father, 33, noticed bruises encircling his son’s abdomen and extending to the back when he picked up the boy from Phan’s care.

The child was taken to a health clinic where medical officers advised the father to lodge a police report as they suspected the injuries were the result of abuse.

Police arrested Phan on Dec 12 and seized a rattan chair and a torn piece of batik cloth as evidence.

Investigations found that Phan had tied the victim to the rattan chair using the torn batik cloth, resulting in physical injuries.

Deputy public prosecutor Asmawi Nur Haqim Mokhtar prosecuted, while the accused was represented by lawyer Dennis Chan.