Van Driver Jailed Two Months for Negligence Leading to Death of Autistic Child

SEREMBAN, Nov 5: A 38-year-old van driver was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment by the Sessions Court here after pleading guilty to an amended charge of neglecting a nine-year-old autistic girl, who died after being left inside his vehicle for nearly three hours.

Judge Surita Budin also ordered the accused, Mohd Nazree Uzir, to perform 120 hours of community service within six months after serving his jail term and to execute a RM2,000 good behavior bond.

According to the charge, Mohd Nazree committed the offense between 2.45pm and 5.30pm on October 12, 2021, in a van parked in front of a house in Bandar Sri Sendayan.

He was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which penalizes any person found guilty of neglecting, abusing, abandoning, or exposing a child to danger. The section carries a maximum punishment of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine up to RM50,000, or both.

The prosecution said the accused had failed to send the victim to her childcare center and instead left her in the van under the scorching sun, leading to her death.

During mitigation, defense counsel Roslaili Alias pleaded for leniency, explaining that the accused and his wife operated a childcare service and had been looking after the victim since she was six years old.

“The accused and his wife loved the victim deeply and maintained a close relationship with her family. There had never been any complaint from the child’s parents,” she said.

Roslaili added that Mohd Nazree was a first-time offender, had cooperated fully with authorities, and had pleaded guilty, saving the court’s time and resources.

She further revealed that the accused is a father of three, including one child with autism, and also cares for his ailing father-in-law, who is a heart patient requiring regular treatment.

“Apart from transporting children, my client works as an electrician, earning between RM1,500 and RM2,000 monthly. This incident has devastated him emotionally,” she told the court.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni urged the court to impose a sentence reflecting the seriousness of the offense, stressing that public interest must take precedence over the personal circumstances of the accused.

“The accused’s negligence directly led to the death of a young child. The punishment should send a message of accountability and deterrence,” she said.

The case has reignited public concern over child safety and negligence among transport service providers, especially those catering to children with special needs.

The victim, described as cheerful and affectionate, was reportedly found unresponsive inside the van after being left unattended for several hours. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The court’s decision aims to strike a balance between compassion for the accused’s personal situation and the need to uphold justice for the victim and accountability for child welfare.