KUALA PILAH: A couple was charged at the Magistrate's Court here with abusing a toddler at their house in Felda Bukit Jalor, Tampin.

       No plea was recorded from the 17-year-old mother and the victim's 23-year-old stepfather, who works as a petrol station cashier.

       The couple was charged with committing the offence between Aug 3 and 25, which caused injuries on several parts of the 16-month-old's body.

       They were charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, punishable under Section 34 of the same legislation.

       Offenders can be fined up to RM50,000, jailed for a maximum 20 years,or both upon conviction.

       Magistrate Saiful Sayoti set bail at RM10,000 for the man and RM6,000 for the woman.

       They were also told to report twice a month at the nearest police station.

       He then fixed Oct 4 for re-mention, pending a medical report of the accused.

       Christhoper Enteri Anak Mawan prosecuted while the accused was represented by Muhammad Syafiq Stewart Abdullah.

       The duo were arrested after police received a report from a medical officer at the Air Kuning Selatan government clinic who noticed the victim's injuries.

       The baby was apparently punched in the face and had burn marks on his body, believed to be from cigarette butts and an iron.

       Prior to this, Tampin police chief Supt Anuwal Ab Wahab said the toddler was initially treated at the Air Kuning Selatan health clinic but was later transferred to Hospital Tuanku Ampuan Najihah due to the seriousness of his injuries.

       The victim, he said, would be handed over to his grandmother.

       The couple, he said, were married eight months ago and took the baby from the care of his grandmother.