Babysitter nabbed over abuse, angered by mother’s late payment of fees

KUCHING: Police arrested a babysitter who is alleged to have under-fed and abused a 14-month girl under her care following the late payment of fees by the child’s mother.

Padawan police chief Supt Aidil Bolhassan said the arrest was made after the unconscious child was brought to Sarawak General Hospital for treatment on Oct 25.

“The toddler was in critical condition when brought to the hospital. A medical examination revealed she had not been adequately fed for almost three weeks, which caused her to suffer from seizures and bacterial infection in her lungs.

“There were also bruises on the child’s head,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Aidil said following her arrest, the babysitter admitted to having twice hit the child on the head using a milk bottle, in an attempt to stop her from crying.

“The suspect also said she was angry with the child’s mother over the late payment of fees for her babysitting service.”

It is understood that due to the mother’s work commitments, the child had been placed under the babysitter’s care for the past three weeks, from 8am to 10.30pm.

The last time the mother met her child was on Oct 23.