Housewife charged with killing her child

A housewife was charged in the Magistrate's Court here Tuesday with killing her biological daughter, aged one year and 10 months, last month.

Daphne Phang Mei Kei, 26, was charged with killing her daughter, Evan Chee Xin Ci at 5.30 pm last July 20.

The accused was alleged to have committed the offence in her house at No. PS 2237, Jalan Padi Indah Utama, Taman Padi Indah, Pulau Sebang here.

She was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

The accused, who was unrepresented, understood the charge which was read in Mandarin before Magistrate Nor Azizah Yusof.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nabilah Nizam later made an application to the court for the accused to be referred to the Permai Hospital in Johor for a psychiatric examination.

Nabilah said it was to assess if the accused was fit to plead guilty or stand trial besides evaluating her mental state.

Nor Azizah allowed the prosecution's application and set Sept 8 for a re-mention.

It is understood that the accused delivered her fourth child a few days ago.