Imran Zanyuin, 35, said when he visited the girl on July 4 last year, she looked sad and walked with her head bowed. She did not look at anyone and her hands were bandaged.
“I met Bella when she was in the Covid ward and she had scars on her face. She never smiled and she looked scared,” he said during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Fazeedah Faik at the trial of Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali.
The 12th prosecution witness said that on June 24 last year, Siti Bainun messaged him on WhatsApp to inform him that Bella had fallen and was scalded.
“Siti Bainun sent the message at 3.03pm and included several photographs of Bella’s injuries on her hands and head. Siti Bainun said she had gone to the hospital and bought disinfectant spray.
“In the WhatsApp message, Siti Bainun also stated that Bella was Covid-19 positive but she did not take her for a swab test because she was afraid that she would be questioned about Bella’s physical condition,” said the witness.
According to Imran, Siti Bainun told him that hot water had accidentally spilled on Bella two days before Hari Raya.
Asked what action was taken after Siti Bainun informed him about the scalding, the witness replied: “I urged Siti Bainun to take Bella to the hospital and she said she would do so after the teenager’s quarantine ends on June 29, 2021.”
“On June 24, 2021, I discussed with the other shelter workers about taking Bella to the hospital.
“I spoke to the JKM children’s unit chief the next day and tried to get an ambulance to take her to the hospital.
“Siti Bainun then said that Bella had been warded at Sungai Buloh Hospital as she tested positive for Covid-19.
“I asked Siti Bainun about Bella’s condition and she only said that the other children in the home had been taking care of Bella,” said Imran.
The witness said the first time he met Bella after she came under the care of Siti Bainun was on Feb 17 last year at the Kuala Lumpur court for children, and she looked cheerful and was seen hugging Siti Bainun.
Imran said he had never agreed with placing Bella under Siti Bainun’s care because he did not know her personally and was unsure about her background.
However, he said the magistrates’ court for children allowed Siti Bainun temporary custody from July 14 to Sept 20, 2020 while permanent custody was to begin from Sept 24, 2020.
Earlier, Imran said Siti Bainun had indicated her wish to take care of Bella to a child welfare officer known as Siti Sarah, adding that the girl was to be placed at Siti Bainun’s family residence in Ampang.
“Bella is a child with disabilities who needs to be supervised by others besides Siti Bainun, and family support is important in ensuring that her safety is always maintained,” he said.
Imran said Bella was previously placed at Taman Sinar Harapan Tuanku Ampuan Najihah in Seremban from 2011 to 2020 before Siti Bainun took care of her, adding that Bella stopped schooling when she was under Siti Bainun’s care.
Siti Bainun, 30, faces two charges of neglecting and abusing the 13-year-old girl, causing the victim to suffer physical and emotional injuries.
She is charged with committing the offences at a condominium in Wangsa Maju here between February and June last year.
The charge framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 provides a maximum fine of RM50,000, or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.
The trial before judge Izralizam Sanusi continues.