Penang woman pleads guilty to reduced charge of infanticide
The High Court ordered the prosecution to prepare a welfare report on M Santhiea, with sentencing fixed for June 30.
GEORGE TOWN : A 23-year-old woman, who threw her newborn baby out the window of her apartment unit five years ago, has pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of infanticide at the High Court here.
M Santhiea, who was 18 when the offence was committed, was initially charged with murder in 2020.
The prosecution offered a reduced charge of infanticide today, citing her mental state following childbirth and the testimonies of several prosecution witnesses.
The new charge was framed under Section 309A of the Penal Code, which states that a woman commits infanticide when she causes her newborn's death while suffering from a disturbed state of mind, having not fully recovered from childbirth.
The offence is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine upon conviction.
Santhiea's lawyer, RSN Rayer, asked for a welfare report on his client to be prepared before sentencing, citing her background as a young first-time offender from a low-income family.
Rayer said her parents already faced social stigma while his client continued to endure public shame.
'She should not be sent to prison,' he said.
Justice Rofiah Mohamad allowed the request and ordered the prosecution to prepare the welfare report. She set June 30 for sentencing.
In 2020, Santhiea was charged with killing her newborn daughter at the Sri Ivory Apartment in Bandar Baru Air Itam at 8.25am on July 10 that year.
She was charged at Penang Hospital's maternity ward, where she was receiving treatment for severe blood loss and postnatal complications.
Santhiea had spent seven months in detention after being denied bail, before the Court of Appeal ruled that she should be allowed to post bail.
The High Court, which presided over the murder trial, eventually set bail at RM90,000 with strict conditions, including a 12-hour home curfew and a ban on leaving the state.
The five-day trial began in February with eight witnesses called.
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