A woman and her boyfriend were charged in two separate courts here today with abusing and murdering her two-year-old son a fortnight ago.

At the Magistrate's Court, Muhammad Rohaizat Tan, 39, a restaurant cook, was charged with murdering Muhammad Adam Daniel Abdul Hafiz, the son of his girlfriend, at a house in Jalan Dato Seri P.Alagendra 2, Kajang Plaza, here between 5 am until 6.30 am on May 13.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code provides for a death sentence, if convicted.

No plea was recorded from the man after the charge was read out in front of Magistrate Nor Afidah Idris who set June 22 for re-mention of the case.

At the Sessions Court, the biological mother of the child, Nor Solihah Abdul Majid, 29, pleaded not guilty to abusing the child, resulting in physical harm, at a nursery in Jalan Kajang Impian 2/9, Taman Kajang Impian, Section 7, Bandar Baru Bangi, here at 10 pm, on May 12.

She was charged under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 which carries fine of up to RM50,000 or jail up to 20 years, or both, upon conviction.

Judge Noridah Adam allowed the accused bail of RM10,000 with one surety and fixed June for a re-mention of the case.

The media had earlier reported that the boy died after being allegedly abused, and according to Kajang District Police Chief ACP Othman Nanyan, results of a post-mortem on the child found one of his ribs broken and several recent bruise marks on his body.

The victim also suffered profuse internal bleeding resulting from a torn pancreas, and the actual cause of death was injury to the abdomen believed to be caused by a blunt object.

-- BERNAMA