M'sia woman, 24, jailed 2 years for throwing newborn baby from 38th floor

A woman in Malaysia who threw her newborn baby girl off the 38th floor of a condominium was sentenced to two years' jail by the Malaysian High Court on Apr. 29.

24-year-old Lua Mei Zhu committed the offence between 1:30pm and 9pm on Feb. 26, 2025, in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, reported New Straits Times (NST).

Lua was found guilty of infanticide and convicted of causing the death of her baby girl shortly after giving birth in her home.

The court ordered that her sentence take effect from Feb. 27, 2025, the date of her arrest.

Baby landed on 9th floor

Malaysian Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Shahrizzat Amadan said, "A life has been lost. An innocent baby who did not survive even three minutes after birth was thrown from a height."

On Feb. 26, 2025, at around 10:21pm, Malaysian Emergency Response Services received a call from a man who found the baby on the verandah of his ninth-floor unit.

Sentul police raided Lua's residence the next day, and she was subsequently arrested.

Alternative charge

In August 2025, Lua had initially pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.

Her team also submitted a representation, typically a formal request by a defence lawyer to Malaysia's Attorney-General's Chambers for a reduction or alternative handling of the case. 

As a result, Lua was offered an alternative charge under Section 309A of Malaysia's penal code.

This alternative charge said Lua had wilfully caused the death of her newborn child, as her mind was disturbed due to the effects of childbirth, reported NST.

In Malaysia's penal code, upon conviction, the alternative charge carries a maximum of 20 years' jail and a fine.

Depression

Her lawyer, Loke Kok Mun, said in mitigation that his client had fallen into prolonged depression after the sudden birth affected her mental health.

According to NST, Lua was diagnosed with depression and is currently on medication after undergoing a three-month psychiatric assessment at Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Perak.

Loke said his client was remorseful and understood her mistake, adding that the incident arose from Lua's immaturity in coping with the circumstances, as her child was born out of wedlock.

After the court proceedings, Lua broke down in tears and was comforted by her elder sister and Loke.