In a disturbing case of child abuse, a mother’s vigilance led to the discovery of physical abuse inflicted by an educational and behavioural therapist on her autistic son. Red marks on the child’s arm, observed after therapy sessions with Nur Amira Muhamad Razali, 33, raised the mother’s suspicions. Her decision to install a CCTV camera unveiled a harrowing truth: the therapist’s repeated physical abuse during therapy sessions.
Therapist’s Background and Sentence
Nur Amira, a graduate in psychology and a registered behavioural technician, was entrusted with the care of a non-verbal, severely autistic nine-year-old boy. However, she violated this trust by physically harming the child. For her actions, Amira was sentenced to three weeks in jail. This sentence was handed down considering her plea of guilt and the fact that she was 26 weeks pregnant at the time of the sentencing.
Nature of the Abuse
The court heard distressing details of the abuse, including scratching, grabbing the boy’s neck, hitting his forehead and mouth, and striking his arm. The abuse came to light after the boy’s mother reviewed the CCTV footage, which showed multiple instances of physical violence against her son.
Medical and Legal Proceedings
A medical examination confirmed the severity of the abuse, with sustained bruising on the child’s neck and elbow. Principal District Judge Jill Tan emphasized the abuse of trust and the vulnerability of the victim in her sentencing. Amira’s actions could have gone unnoticed if not for the evidence of physical marks and recorded footage. She faced a possible sentence of up to six years in jail, or a fine, or both, due to the victim’s age.
Also learn about Preschool Child Abuse Case in Singapore: A 40-Year-Old Woman Charged.
