Woman charged with hitting baby girl's face multiple times in infant care centre
The one-year-old girl, who was allegedly struck multiple times on her cheek, sustained a bruise on her face.
File photo of a toddler. (Photo: iStock)
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SINGAPORE: A 40-year-old woman has been accused of hitting a one-year-old girl multiple times, leaving a bruise on her right cheek.
The woman cannot be named due to gag orders issued by the court protecting the victim's identity.
She was handed one count of ill-treating a child at about 5pm on Mar 15 this year.
When the prosecutor asked for the gag order to be imposed, the judge asked what the relationship was between the accused and the victim.
The prosecutor replied: "Infant care provider, and the victim was under her care, and the location is the centre."
The gag order also extends to the location of the alleged offence.
He said the prosecution was ready to proceed on a single charge.
The woman, who wore a mask and listened quietly to proceedings, said she intended to plead guilty and would not be engaging a lawyer.
She was given a date to plead guilty in January.
If convicted of ill-treating a child in her care under the Children and Young Persons Act, the woman can be jailed for up to eight years, fined up to S$8,000, or both.
ECDA'S RESPONSE
In response to queries from CNA, a spokesperson for the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said it investigated the incident, which was reported by the preschool on Mar 16.
The preschool immediately suspended the duties of the woman involved and subsequently terminated her employment on Mar 20.
ECDA has also "taken actions" against the woman and the preschool. This includes not allowing the woman to work in the preschool sector.
Preschools are required to report to ECDA all serious incidents that have an impact on the safety of children and staff. This must be done within 24 hours.
"ECDA follows up on every alleged child mismanagement incident through unannounced visits to preschools, interviews and verification of records," said the spokesperson.
"Immediate actions will be taken if the findings support the allegation.
"Preschool operators are also reminded through regular ECDA briefings and circulars to ensure vigilant supervision of children and staff while providing guidance and support on classroom management.
"ECDA places child safety as its top priority and follows up on all reported cases of child mismanagement."
The regulator has set out "clear policies and requirements" that establish the baseline for a safe and positive learning environment in preschools.
ECDA said there are "explicit provisions" in the law that make clear the obligations of operators, centres and all staff.
"This includes actions staff cannot subject children to," said the agency.
A Code of Practice has been issued to further detail what preschools must do to ensure their staff properly manage children and communicate with them through "positive and developmentally appropriate methods".
