Child cruelty: Court confirms jail terms

Manama : The High Criminal Court has upheld the sentences issued against a Bahraini couple, accused of putting their disabled child’s life in danger.

According to court files, nine-year-old child was left at home with a maid, after the parents left for a tourist trip with their other children for several weeks.

The maid reportedly left the child alone and fled the country, while the parents were still on the trip.

The child was later found to be suffering from dehydration and his body infected with lice. He was admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex for treatment, where he underwent blood transfusion.

The parents told prosecutors that they decided to leave him with the maid after several care centres refused their request to care him. The case was reported to the Child Protection Centre, which in turn informed the police.

The parents were earlier handed down suspended three year’s imprisonment each.