A 22-year-old woman has been arrested in Taiping, Perak after her 22-month-old daughter shockingly tested positive for drugs at the Taiping Hospital on Tuesday (11 June).
According to a statement by the Taiping District Police Chief ACP Razlam Ab Hamid, the police found out about the matter after receiving a report from a doctor at the aforementioned hospital.
The toddler tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine at the hospital after she was sent there by her mother.
The mother had previously sent the 22-month-old child to her grandmother’s house as she wanted to purchase necessities at a grocery store that was near the grandmother’s home.
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During her stay at the grandmother’s house, the toddler suddenly started crying and showed uncontrollable behaviour.
Following the incident, the police opened an investigation paper under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for child abuse. Furthermore, a urine test on the mother also found that she was positive for methamphetamine, one of the same substances found in her daughter.
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In relation to the case, we contacted Ahmad Danial, a Malaysian lawyer and partner at Kuala Lumpur-based law firm ADIL Legal to find out more about the potential punishments that the mother faces for offences under the Child Act 2001.
Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Danial asserted that under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, the parent may face action should she be found to have abused or exposed the child in a manner likely to cause her physical or emotional injury.
Under Section 31 of the same Act, the mother can be charged with child abuse and face a fine of up to RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to 20 years or both upon conviction.
Furthermore, as per Section 31(2) of the same Act, those charged under Section 31 may also be ordered by the Court to execute a bond with sureties to be of good behaviour for such period and on such conditions as the Court thinks fit and to perform community service.
Those who fail to comply with the orders of the bond shall be liable to a further fine of up to RM10,000 or to an additional jail sentence not exceeding 5 years or both.
As for the aforementioned community service, it shall be between 36 hours and 246 hours in aggregate, as well as be performed within the period not exceeding 6 months from the date of order. It’s also subject to any other conditions specified by the Court and those who fail to perform the community service may be liable to a fine of up to RM10,000.
Of course, these are merely speculative as the matter is still under investigation by the police.
So, what do you guys think of the case? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Also read: WATCH: M’sian Parents Gets Flak From Netizens For Inserting A Vape Into Their Baby’s Mouth
