Unregistered PJ Nursery Is Shut After 2-Month-Old Baby Dies On Her Second Day There
"Before enrolling in a nursery, parents should check with the operator whether they have a registration certificate," advised a deputy minister.
By May Vin Ang — 16 Oct 2023, 12:39 PM
A two-month-old baby girl was reported to have died at a childcare centre in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya last Tuesday, 10 October
According to New Straits Times, the incident occurred on the victim's, Qaseh Aulia Faizul, second day at the nursery.
The victim's father, Faizul Ali Adam, said he received a call from the daycare centre about four hours after she was dropped off, informing him that his child was unconscious and blue in the face.
She was taken to a hospital in Kota Damansara, where the 33-year-old father was informed that his child had passed away. Aulia was the youngest of three children.
He later lodged a police report after reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage at the centre, claiming negligence by the childcare centre's caregivers.
Aulia's mother, Maisarah Rosli, told Harian Metro that there were supposed to be four babysitters taking care of 10 other babies under the age of one year at the nursery.
However, the footage showed that there were fewer staff present.
The Department of Social Welfare (JKM) has since ordered the childcare centre shut as it was found to be operating without registration
In a statement on Sunday, 15 October, Women, Family, and Community Development Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu said the centre violated Section 6(1) of the Child Care Centre Act 1984.
"On Monday, 16 October, JKM will send a notice [to seal the centre], and after 21 days, if the nursery does not submit proof or certification of registration, further action will be taken, such as a compound or prosecution," she said, as quoted by Bernama.
Aiman also urged parents to only send their children to nurseries registered with JKM as these centres are monitored and have trained babysitters.
"Before enrolling in a nursery, parents should check with the operator whether they have a registration certificate," she advised.
Women, Family, and Community Development Deputy Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu.
Image via Danial Saad/New Straits TimesMeanwhile, police are investigating the case under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 for offences involving child abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exposure to injuries
One of the babysitters from the childcare centre was called in and detained at the Petaling Jaya District Police Headquarters on Friday, 13 October.
However, Petaling Jaya district police chief ACP Mohamad Fakhrudin Abdul Hamid said the caregiver, who is a foreigner married to a local, has been released on police bail.
According to him, the police are waiting on the report of the victim's post-mortem examination.
