Death of Baby Syifaa at nursery attributed to negligence
The Coroner’s Court has determined that the death of a 15-month-old toddler known as Baby Syifaa at a nursery over two years ago was due to negligence.
Outside the court, the victim’s father, Yuseri Yussof, expressed that he had anticipated this outcome.
He now urges the police to take swift action, noting that the incident occurred over two years ago.
“The babysitter should have been charged immediately after my daughter died.
“Since the court has delivered its judgement, we hope the police will arrest her today (Wednesday) and, if possible, charge her tomorrow,” he said, reported The Star.
Coroner Datin Surita Budin reported that evidence and testimonies revealed Nour Rania Asyifaa Yuseri, known as “Baby Syifaa,” died after her neck became entangled in a cloth cradle.
She had been left unsupervised by her babysitter in a room for about two hours while she slept.
“The court finds that the victim’s death was caused after she tried to get out of the cloth cradle which was tight and uncomfortable as the babysitter had hooked up both ends to prevent her from falling out or escaping.
“While the victim tried to stand up, her neck got entangled in the cloth on one end of the cradle, causing her to struggle and eventually getting her neck compressed by the pressure of her own weight.
“Based on a balance of probabilities supported by evidence produced and testimonies by witnesses, the court also finds that overall, the deceased’s death was not an accident but was caused as she was left unsupervised for two hours and such an act is an offence under the law,” she said in her findings.
Surita noted that the width of the abrasion on the deceased’s neck matched the width of the cradle cloth.
On February 22, 2022, Nour Rania was found dead in a cloth cradle by her babysitter at a nursery.
The babysitter informed the police that when she checked on the child, she found her head hanging over the side of the cradle.
Despite attempts to resuscitate her, the babysitter was unsuccessful.
Nour Rania was rushed to Sendayan Health Clinic, but doctors were unable to revive her. A post-mortem examination determined that her death was due to neck compression.
Yuseri expressed dissatisfaction with the initial findings and requested that the police investigate the case for potential murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
During the proceedings, the coroner revealed that the babysitter admitted to leaving Nour Rania and two other babies unsupervised in a room for two hours, which constituted negligence.
The babysitter also acknowledged using unsafe cloth cradles despite knowing they were prohibited. The cradles were found to be faulty, with worn-out, torn cloth and damaged springs, failing to ensure the safety of the child.