Maid jailed four years over child's drowning at Sentul condominium pool

A domestic helper has been sentenced to four years' jail after pleading guilty to neglect that caused the death of a child at the swimming pool of a residence in Sentul.

Wahyuni Tanjung, 44, entered the plea before judge Suhaila Haron, Sinar Harian reported.

According to the charge, the accused, who had a caregiving relationship with the child, committed neglect that caused the victim's death at the adult swimming pool of a residence in Sentul between 6pm and 7pm on July 28.

The charge was framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM50,000 or up to 20 years' jail, or both, upon conviction.

The court ordered that her sentence run from the date of her arrest on July 29.

One month on the job

Investigations found that the accused, who had been working as a domestic helper for only a month, took the victim and the child's five-year-old brother to the adult pool without any swimming aids or floats.

She then left both children unsupervised when she went to the toilet.

During proceedings, deputy public prosecutor Md Subri Hashim asked the court to impose a sentence that would serve as a lesson.

He said the accused, who had been entrusted with caring for the children, should not have left the victim alone with a young brother without supervision.

Wahyuni was unrepresented by counsel throughout the proceedings.