Babysitter Fined RM8,000 for Feeding Newborn Medication-Laced Milk

A babysitter has been fined RM8,000 in default of nine months' jail by the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur for abusing an 18-day-old boy by feeding him milk mixed with flu medicine. Judge Dr. Azrol Abdullah passed down the sentence on Hew Foong Chun, 66, who pleaded guilty to the charge.

Babysitter fined RM8,000 for feeding newborn flu meds.

In addition to the fine, Hew was ordered to be placed on a good behavior bond for two years with a surety of RM1,000 and to perform 90 hours of community service within six months. The incident occurred at a residence in Bukit Jalil, Cheras, at 2:21 AM on September 15.

The charge, framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, carries a maximum penalty of RM50,000 or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both upon conviction. Hew had been hired for RM4,500 to care for the baby for 20 days.

The boy's father became suspicious when his son slept throughout the day. After checking CCTV footage, he discovered that Hew had added flu medicine to the feeding bottle despite the baby being healthy.

In mitigation, Hew, who represented herself, stated she is a single mother with health issues including asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure, and also mentioned her lack of a home and job. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Ikhwan Mohd Nasir represented the prosecution in this case.