A two-month-old girl, Zabelle Peh Yu Xuan, died after weeks of abuse by her parents, culminating in fatal head injuries inflicted by her mother, Sim Liang Xiu. She was declared brain dead on Jan 13, 2023, after suffering blunt force trauma to her head. Both Sim, 31, and her husband, Peh Wei Jian, 34, were sentenced to jail on April 2, 2024—Sim receiving eight years and Peh seven.
Sim originally faced a murder charge but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of culpable homicide, as she was diagnosed with post-natal depression. Peh pleaded guilty to failing to protect Zabelle, despite being aware of the abuse. Both also had additional child abuse charges taken into consideration during sentencing.
The abuse began shortly after Zabelle’s birth on Nov 6, 2022. Sim slapped, bit, and forcefully dropped her daughter, while Peh pushed a milk bottle into her mouth, pinched her, and threw her into the cot. On Jan 8, 2023, Sim struck Zabelle’s head in frustration over soiled diapers. The next morning, Peh found her unresponsive after a bath.
They called for an ambulance, and Zabelle was taken to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, where doctors noted dried blood on her nostrils, a collapsed lung, and a deformed arm from past injuries. She was transferred to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where doctors found no response to stimuli and significant brain damage. Despite treatment, she was pronounced brain dead.
An autopsy revealed a skull fracture, bleeding in the brain, and multiple healed fractures in her ribs and upper arm, indicating prolonged abuse. The couple initially lied about the cause of her injuries, claiming Peh had dropped her while bathing.
In court, messages between Sim and Peh showed Peh’s awareness of the abuse, with him cautioning Sim against causing fractures and warning that their actions would lead to police involvement. Sim often responded aggressively, once stating, “I want to make her die also not your problem.”
Sim’s lawyer highlighted her history of depression, dating back to her teenage years, including a suicide attempt in 2011. She was diagnosed with post-natal depression after her arrest, which significantly impaired her mental responsibility. Peh, while assessed to be of sound mind, had been diagnosed with mental retardation in 2009 but did not meet the criteria for intellectual disability.
During sentencing, the prosecution highlighted the cruelty inflicted on Zabelle, pointing out that her injuries likely began close to her birth. They sought 8–9 years’ jail for Sim and 7–8 years for Peh.
Sim expressed remorse, with her lawyer stating that she would live with the guilt for the rest of her life. Peh’s lawyer argued that his client was a victim of domestic abuse by Sim and that his role in the abuse was lesser. However, the judge rejected this, finding Peh’s culpability high due to his own acts of violence against Zabelle.
Justice Dedar Singh Gill stated it was “difficult for a sentient person to fathom the cruelty inflicted on Zabelle” and ruled that Peh’s passive warnings to Sim were inadequate. He sentenced Sim to eight years and Peh to seven, emphasizing the seriousness of their offenses.
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