Nor A’in Ismail, 24, pleaded guilty after the charge was read to her before judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid, reported Berita Harian.

The charge was framed under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a fine of not more than RM50,000 or imprisonment of up to 20 years, or both, if found guilty.

Under Section 31(2) of the Act, the court must also order the accused, if convicted, to execute a bond of good behaviour, with sureties, for a period the court deems fit.

The offence allegedly took place on May 28 at 4.15pm at a nursery in Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Deputy public prosecutor Faelly Jeffrey Lanjungan asked for bail to be set at RM20,000 with one surety and for the accused to report to the nearest police station once a month pending the conclusion of the case.

However, defence lawyer Wan Guan Hui requested for a reduction in the proposed bail amount as her client had no prior offences and was not a flight risk.

Mazuliana allowed bail of RM8,000 in one surety and set July 2 for case mention.

Separately, the owner of the childcare centre, Chan Pei Kuan, was fined RM3,500 after pleading guilty to operating the nursery without a licence under the Child Care Centre Act 1984.

Magistrate Nik Siti Norazlini Nik Faiz ordered the 34-year-old to serve one month in prison if she fails to pay the fine.

Deputy public prosecutor Norfarahim Abdul Halim handled the prosecution and Chan was represented by Wan.