Indonesian domestic helper Yayah Nurhayati, 41, pleaded guilty to a charge of child abuse on Tuesday, and will be sentenced on September 26.
Yayah was charged under Section 28(1)(a) of the Children and Young Persons Act, Chapter 219, for abusing her employer’s 10-month-old son on August 26. The incident took place at the family’s residence in Mukim Gadong ‘B’.
According to prosecutor Aeny Zullizam, the defendant, who was responsible for the care of the child, forcefully fed him by shoving food into his mouth, who started crying. She then pushed his forehead backwards and pinched the left side of his thigh.
The incident was recorded on CCTV. The child’s father lodged a police report the following day. Yayah was arrested and admitted to the offence during police investigations. She has no prior convictions in Brunei Darussalam.
Intermediate Court Judge Pengiran Masni Pengiran Haji Bahar will hand down the sentence on September 26.
The court will consider the penalties under the Children and Young Persons Act, which include a fine of up to BND20,000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years. The court may also require the defendant to undergo counselling and psychotherapy as part of the sentencing. – Fadley Faisal
