PUTRAJAYA: A teenage girl charged with killing her newborn son was released on bail by the Court of Appeal pending her trial.

       A three-member panel comprising Justices Yaacob Md Sam, Ahmad Nasfy Yasin and Hashim Hamzah, allowed the girl bail of RM20,000 with a Malaysian to stand surety for her.

       Justice Yaacob said the bail would only take effect after the girl was released from psychiatric evaluation at Hospital Permai in Tampoi, Johor.

       According to Bernama, he said the 15-year-old and her bailor must report to the Chukai police station in Kemaman, Terengganu, once a month before or on the 7th day of each month until the disposal of her case.

       Before the hearing of the girl’s application for bail began, Justice Yaacob made an order that the girl’s identity should not be disclosed.The girl was charged in the Kemaman Magistrate’s Court on Feb 15 this year with killing her baby at a house in Seri Bandi in Kemaman between 7am and 9am on Feb 8.

       She was, however, denied bail pending trial and her application to be referred for mental health evaluation was also rejected by the Magistrate’s Court.

       The teenager subsequently filed an application at the Terengganu High Court on March 8, for a revision of the decision of the Magistrate’s Court, but was unsuccessful in getting a bail.

       The High Court, however, allowed part of the girl’s revision application by ordering her to be referred for psychiatric evaluation.

       She then filed a fresh application for bail in the Court of Appeal.

       The teen was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty, if found guilty.

       However, offenders under the age of 18 cannot be sentenced to death under Section 97(2) of the Child Act 2001 but may have their sentences commuted to imprisonment for a period as determined by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan, or Yang di-Pertua Negeri, depending on where the offences occurred.