SP Esther Christina pleaded not guilty to the charge, New Straits Times reported.

According to the charge sheet, Esther left V Thanes Nair without proper supervision and care for an unreasonable period at Centro Club’s swimming pool in Bandar Baru Seri Klebang on April 17.

The charge falls under Section 33(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a maximum fine of RM20,000, a maximum of five years in jail, or both, upon conviction.

The court set bail of RM2,500 in one surety and fixed Aug 23 for mention.

Thanes’ mother, D Nilaveni, 40, was seen crying in the courtroom with a customised bolster with her son’s picture on it.

In April, it was reported that the boy had fallen into a swimming pool close to the kindergarten on his first day and died six days later.

On Monday, Thanes’ parents marched barefoot from the kindergarten to the Ipoh police headquarters in an attempt to seek justice for their son’s death.