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A GRIEVING Bahraini mother has ‘forgiven’ the woman whose alleged negligence led to the death of her four-year-old son after he was forgotten in a vehicle for hours.
Last week, the 40-year-old Bahraini accused, a single mother-of-three, admitted in the High Criminal Court to causing the death of Hassan Al Mahari who fell asleep in the woman’s car on the morning trip to his kindergarten in Demistan.
The defendant also confessed to running a transportation service, taking students to and from school and kindergarten without a permit.
On the day of the incident, after dropping off other students, she went to work at a school cafeteria in Buri at around 7.45am, without checking her vehicle.
By the time Hassan was found in the back seat at around 11.15am, he had suffered a severe heatstroke, and eventually succumbed to it in BDF Hospital.
Hassan was the eldest of two children; his sister is just over a year old.
During yesterday’s session, the court heard from a relative, who attended on behalf of the grieving parents, that Hassan’s mother wished to drop the case.
“The mother says that she has chosen to forgive the defendant, and drop all charges against her,” the relative said.
“She believes that there is no malice, and understands it was a tragic accident, and the parents just want to put the matter to rest.”
The judges asked the defendant what she thought, and the defendant stated she took full responsibility for their loss.
The judges then asked the victims’ lawyer to submit the necessary paperwork to process the withdrawal.
Meanwhile, the boy’s father also penned a heartfelt public letter to the defendant and everyone else involved in the case, explaining his decision to forgive.
He stated that it mostly came out of concern for the defendant’s three children, and to avoid putting them in an even more difficult situation than they are already in.
Last week, the defendant’s lawyer stated in a memo that after her husband was arrested, she lost social benefits for low-income families, so she had to look to new ways to make money and support her children.
The GDN reported previously that the woman’s husband has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for some years.
“Our loss is immense, and our hearts are heavy, but I have thought long and hard, waited, listened to all sides, consulted scholars, and prayed to Allah to guide me towards the right course of action,” said Hassan’s father.
“We believe that punishment or imprisonment will not bring back those we have lost, but forgiveness can revive hearts and sow mercy.
“My decision to forgive is not an act or weakness or impulsion, but rather an act of worship and reliance on Allah.
“As for the money, I have decided to waive it because we do not want to burden her family, nor do we want to enrich ourselves at the expense of others’ pain.
“To everyone who assumes responsibility, bear it with sincerity and integrity, for lives are not a matter of personal judgement.
“I urge the relevant authorities to work on issuing legislation or a decree obligating schools and kindergartens to contact parents when any child is absent.
“Such simple measures may save lives and prevent painful tragedies from recurring.”
Following the incident, the Interior Ministry urged parents to ensure their children’s safety and to avoid contracting unlicensed drivers who were not authorised to transport children.
The ministry also reaffirmed that it would continue to conduct awareness and educational campaigns targeting school and kindergarten staff, students and parents to promote student safety in vehicles and around educational facilities.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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