KUWAIT: Kuwait’s criminal court on Wednesday sentenced a Filipino domestic helper to death for murdering an 18-month Kuwaiti baby by placing him in a washing machine. The case will now go to the court of appeals and the court of cassation, the country’s top court whose rulings are final. The crime took place in the last week of December last year at her employer’s residence in Sabah Al-Salem.
Local media reported at the time that the maid confessed to the murder, saying the baby was “annoying” her. The parents rushed to the rescue of their son upon hearing his screams and found him in the washing machine in a bad condition. They immediately rushed him to the nearby Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival from serious injuries sustained from the washing machine.
At the time of the incident, the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) extended its sincere condolences to the child’s family and the Kuwaiti government. DMW also insisted the incident was an “isolated case”. “We humbly provide the assurance that this tragic incident is isolated and does not represent the values of Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers who are known for their caring nature, professionalism, dedication and hard work” DMW said in the statement.
Before issuing the verdict, the court ordered the maid to undergo a psychological test, which showed that her mental health was good. Over 220,000 Filipinos work in Kuwait, the fifth largest foreign community, many of whom work as domestic helpers. Meanwhile, the court of appeals on Wednesday upheld a life term against a Kuwaiti and 15-year sentences against an Iranian woman and two Egyptians for attempting to smuggle 58 kg of hashish. Kuwaiti coastguards seized the boat and the suspects attempting to smuggle the drugs into Kuwait by sea from Iran.
