Negligent Couple Charged Over Vaping Infant Video
They face a fine of up to RM50k and/or maximum 20 years jail time.
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Selayang Sessions Court has charged a man (23) and his wife (21) for negligence involving their infant child who was made to inhale from a vaping device in a viral video last month that put social media in a frenzy.
The couple were jointly charged Thursday (10 June) and pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to them before Sessions Court judge Nor Rajiah Mat Zin.
Charged under Section 31(1)(a) Child Act 2001
The charge sheet for the young parents include neglecting the 1 year and 9 month boy by letting him smoke a vaping device that could cause physical and emotional harm.
The illegal act was allegedly committed at a house in Taman Sahabat Jaya, Batu Caves on May 2.
If convicted, there couple faces a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, or both.
Out on bail
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Shasha Hidayah Nor Azahar offered bail at RM8,000 for each of the accused but fixed the bail at RM6,000 in one surety each after the unrepresented couple asked for a lower bail amount.
Case is fixed for mention on July 16
Meanwhile, the court has ordered the couple to report to the nearest police station monthly and are not allowed to stay with their child until the case has concluded.
14 child abuse cases happen every day in Malaysia
In a 2018 report by the New Straits Times, many cases of child abuse go unreported. We can only imagine how high the number is now during a pandemic with families forced to bunker with each other.
According to AskLegal, there are three main laws that cover child abuse and they are the Penal Code, Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, and for this most recent case – the Child Act 2001.
The video in question was uploaded by Facebook page Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS . Viewer discretion is advised.
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