A Sessions Court sentenced a 20-year-old mother and her friend, 35-year-old Adibah Mohd Zaini to three years in prison for locking a young boy in a cat cage in February. Judge Siti Shakirah Mohtarudin handed down the sentence after both women pleaded guilty. In addition to prison time, they are required to complete a five-year good behavior bond without surety and 240 hours of community service within six months after release.
The incident occurred on February 10 at an apartment in Taman Danau Desa, Brickfields where the three-and-a-half-year-old boy was confined in a cat cage, potentially causing physical and emotional harm. They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which provides for a maximum penalty of RM50,000, up to 20 years’ imprisonment or both.
The mother received an additional three-year sentence under the same Act for a separate abuse charge, which involved wrapping her son in adhesive tape on February 21. Judge Siti Shakirah ordered both sentences to run concurrently.
Deputy public prosecutor Nidzuwan Abd Latip argued for a deterrent sentence, emphasizing the mother’s duty to protect her child and highlighting photographic evidence of the boy in the cat cage as deeply disturbing. Both defendants, who were unrepresented, requested reduced sentences. The mother expressed regret while Adibah, who has two young children, tearfully apologized and promised never to repeat her actions.
Previously, Bernama reported that the mother, Adibah and another accomplice, Nor Azlin Fatin Najihah Lokman were each sentenced to 14 days in jail and fined RM10,000 after pleading guilty to kicking the boy.
