PETALING JAYA: Ismanira Abdul Manaf, the mother of the deceased six-year-old autistic boy, Zayn Rayyan Abdul Matin, has been found guilty of neglect resulting in physical harm to her son two years ago.
Sessions Court judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh ruled that that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt against Ismanira, 30.
Ismanira, dressed in a cream long sleeved blouse and black skirt, broke down in tears in the dock as her husband, Zaim Ikhwan Zahari, also 30, who was seated in the public gallery, covered his face with his hands.
The court has stood down before hearing the aggravating factors from the prosecution and mitigation from the defence.
Zayn Rayyan was reported missing from Block R on Dec 5, 2023, after Ismanira picked him up from school at about noon.
His body was found the next day in a stream about 200 metres from their home.
Ismanira, alongside Zaim, faced a joint charge under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which states that a person responsible for a child commits an offence if they neglect the child in a manner likely to cause physical injury.
However, at the end of the prosecution case, Syahliza ordered Ismanira to enter her defence but acquitted Zaim.
She was charged with committing the offence between 12pm on Dec 5 and 9.55pm on Dec 6, 2023, in the area surrounding Block R, Apartment Idaman, Damansara Damai, and a nearby stream.
The charge carries a maximum fine of RM50,000, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.
Among the 28 prosecution witnesses who testified were Faizul Najib Abd Munaim, 47, who discovered Zayn Rayyan’s body on Dec 6, 2023; the boy’s special education teacher Siti Aminah Nor Mad Ali; neighbour Siti Natrah Ismail; forensic medical consultant Dr Rohayu Shahar Adnan; as well as two child witnesses aged 10.
Other witnesses included police photographers, members of the Bukit Aman K9 Detection Unit, investigating officers Nina Syamimi Syamsuddin and Assistant Superintendent Nor Zaharuddin Sanip, as well as senior investigating officer Deputy Superintendent Mohd Hafizee Ismail.
Ismanira is represented by lawyers Haresh Mahadevan, Ramzani Idris and Lavanesh Haresh.
The prosecution is represented by deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin, Aqharie Durranie Aziz, and Nur Sabrina Zubairi.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
