KAJANG: A 36-year-old man was charged at the Magistrates Court on Friday with the murder of an 11-month-old baby, Nur Muarzara Ulfa Muhammad Zainal.
The accused, Hazmi Majid, only nodded to indicate he understood when the charge was read out to him in front of Magistrate Fadzilatul Isma Ahmad Refngah.
No plea was recorded from the accused, who works as a barber, as murder charges come under the purview of the High Court.
According to the charge, the crime took place at the Seri Cempaka Apartments, Jalan 6/3, Seksyen 16, Bandar Baru Bangi, between 10.30am and 1.30pm on Nov 7.
The charge comes under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty, upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Faten Hadni Khairuddin appeared for the prosecution while the accused was not represented.
The court fixed Jan 17 for mention pending a medical report on the victim.
Baby Zara died on Nov 9 after lying in critical condition for two days at the Serdang Hospital.
She was allegedly physically and sexually abused by her babysitter’s husband. Evidence of the sexual abuse came to light after injuries were found on the baby’s private parts.