Teo Jia Xin, a Malaysian student studying in the UK, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her newborn baby.
The 22-year-old was convicted this week by the Warwick Crown Court in Coventry.
The court heard how Teo placed her baby, born in March this year, inside a cereal box shortly after birth. She then concealed the box in a sealable plastic bag and put it inside a suitcase.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed that the baby was born alive and could have survived with medical care.
Despite opportunities to seek help, Teo chose to give birth alone and hide the infant. The CPS stated that her actions were deliberate, and she made repeated attempts to keep the birth and the baby’s existence a secret.
Hospital staff alerted the West Midlands Police when they noticed Teo’s condition and became suspicious.
According to the CPS, she lied to doctors, friends, and police officers to conceal her pregnancy and the tragic outcome.
Teo’s sentencing has sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning how such a tragedy could occur.
The CPS has condemned her actions, emphasising that help was available, yet Teo chose to handle her pregnancy and birth in secret.
However, UK court documents also quoted Warwick Crown Court Judge Justice Tipples who said that Teo, 22, had recurrent depression and had been diagnosed with mild depressive disorder.
Fighting Depression: Let’s Break the Silence
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression and mental health struggles, please don’t hesitate to reach out to these emergency hotlines:
- Befrienders KL: 03-76272929
- Talian Kasih: 15999
- Talian HEAL: 15555
- PT Foundation’s Peer Listening Helpline: 03-27876005
- MIASA Crisis Helpline: 1800-18-0066
These hotlines provide over the phone counselling and moral support during dark times.
Know that there’s always help around the corner.
Never hesitate to reach out.
Let’s Ensure Every Child Has a Family with OrphanCare
OrphanCare is a non-profit foundation that endeavours to give institutionalised children and unplanned, at-risk, newborn babies the joy of growing in the care of a loving family in accordance with their tagline: Every Child Needs a Family.
OrphanCare offers baby hatch services that provide safe, anonymous options for those unable to care for a newborn.
Seeking help is always a better option.
If you or someone you know is struggling with an unwanted pregnancy, please reach out for support.
You can also make a donation to help further their cause by stamping out the baby dumping epidemic in the country and save innocent lives.
Let’s all work together to avoid another tragedy.
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