KUCHING: A young woman, who pleaded not guilty to dumping her newborn baby girl in a monsoon drain last January 19, was on Tuesday released on a RM3,000 bail with a local surety.
Senior magistrate Aida Montong ordered the 21-year-old woman to be released on bail pending the date of the pre-trial case management which was set for September 19.
The accused, a resident of Bandar Baru Samariang, was arrested by police while receiving treatment at the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) for suffering heavy bleeding after giving birth.
A doctor, who was treating the accused, informed the police that around 11am, she tried to hide the birth of her baby despite severe bleeding.
However, the truth was revealed when the dead body of a baby girl was found in a monsoon drain in Bandar Baru Samariang, around 7pm not far from her residence.
The remains of the baby were later sent to the SGH for a post-mortem.
The case is being investigated under Section 318 of the Penal Code for concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body.
If found guilty, the offender will be jailed for a term which might extend to two years and fined.
When asked why she did so, the accused said she had been threatened by her boyfriend, who worked as a security guard.
She said if she did not throw the baby away, he would kill her.
