Mother, friend jailed 3 years for locking toddler in cat cage

dera anak Adibah Zaini — The 20-year-old mother and her friend Adibah Zaini (right) were brought to the Kuala Lumpur sessions court today to face charges under the Child Act 2001. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: A woman and her friend were sentenced to three years in prison each by the sessions court here today for confining the former’s young son in a cat cage.

Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin meted out the sentence on the toddler’s 20-year-old mother, a fast-food worker, and 35-year-old housewife Adibah Zaini, after both women pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court ordered the duo to serve their sentences immediately, along with a five-year good behaviour bond without surety.

They were also required to complete 240 hours of community service within six months of completing their sentences.

The duo were accused of abusing the three-and-a-half-year-old boy by locking him in a cat cage, which could cause both physical and emotional harm, at an apartment in Taman Danau Desa, Brickfields, at 8.16pm on Feb 10.

They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum penalty of RM50,000 in fines, up to 20 years in prison, or both upon conviction.

Separately, the boy’s mother was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to another charge under the same Act and section, for wrapping her son in adhesive tape at the same location at 3.58pm on Feb 21.

The court ordered both sentences to run concurrently.

Deputy public prosecutor Nidzuwan Abd Latip asked the court to impose a deterrent sentence, saying that as the boy’s mother, she had a duty to protect her child from harm.

“The court should take into account the evidence, especially the photos of the child confined in a cat cage which is clearly not meant for human use,” he said.

The boy’s mother, who was unrepresented, appealed for a lighter sentence, expressing deep regret for her actions.

Adibah, also without legal representation, pleaded for leniency, citing her duty to care for her two young children, aged one and eleven.

“I deeply regret my actions. Being in detention has made me realise my mistake and I promise to never repeat this,” she said.

On Monday, Bernama reported that the boy’s mother, Adibah, and another accomplice, Nor Azlin Fatin Najihah Lokman, 25, were each sentenced to 14 days in prison and fined RM10,000 by the sessions court after pleading guilty to a separate charge of kicking the boy.

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