By Vir B. Lumicao
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| The defendant was not asked to enter a plea when she appeared at Eastern Court |
A 30-year-old Filipina domestic helper was charged in
Eastern Court today, Mar 16, with illegally taking pills to cause her own
miscarriage in her employer’s house in North Point.
B.S.C., who worked for a family at Ko Fung Court, Harbour Heights, appeared before Magistrate Peter Law. No plea was taken.
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The prosecution did not say when she was arrested, but the charge sheet said the defendant “unlawfully administered a poison or other noxious thing with intent to procure (her) own miscarriage” last Saturday, Mar 13.
Procuring a miscarriage by administering a poison is
contrary to section 46 of the Offenses Against a Person Ordinance, Cap. 212 ,
of the Laws of
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The prosecutor said the offense was discovered by the defendant's employer, who called the police.
Magistrate Law adjourned the case until Jun 8 at the request of the prosecution, who said they will submit the aborted fetus to a DNA test to determine its age.
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The prosecutor said it would take three months to wait for the DNA test results and for investigators to examine the defendant’s cell phone to find out how she obtained the poison.
The defense lawyer said the helper was fired by her employer after the incident and had nowhere to go as the employment agency that deployed her would not allow her to stay in its shelter.
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The lawyer also said her client had admitted the offense to investigators.
Although she had no bail application currently, the defendant wanted to keep her right to a bail review every eighth day, her counsel said.
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Magistrate Law adjourned the case until Jun 8 and remanded the defendant in custody. But he set a hearing for bail review on Mar 23.
Filipina workers who need advice on unwanted pregnancies could consult Social Welfare Attaché Lucita Villanueva at the Consulate, 14/F United Centre, Admiralty. She can also be reached at 2823 8537 or 2823 8502.
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Those who need help in managing their pregnancies could contact the PathFinders, a charitable organization that looks after the welfare of migrant mothers and their children (see poster above). PathFinders can be contacted through its hotline, +852 5190 4886, or email info@pathfinders.org.hk.
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