Domestic helper arrested after 1-year-old girl suffers burns in Hong Kong

A domestic helper in Hong Kong has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect following an incident where a one-year-old girl suffered second-degree burns to her hands, according to her mother. The Indonesian helper, aged 30, was apprehended in Yuen Long on the day following the incident, following a report from the girl's father.

The incident transpired while the helper was looking after the girl and her three-year-old sibling, with the parents away at work. The helper allegedly placed the girl in the bathroom to keep them apart, but the toddler accidentally touched the hot water tap, resulting in the burns. The helper claimed she was giving the girl warm water to play with, but the child's mother disputes this.

Surveillance footage allegedly showed the helper bringing ice into the bathroom but not contacting her for help until 18 minutes later. The mother claimed the helper confessed to making false statements to the police, alleging she had cooked and needed to use the toilet when the girl turned on the hot water. The helper's tenure with the family started in March.

The Yuen Long crime investigation team is managing the case, and under Hong Kong's laws, child neglect can result in up to ten years' imprisonment upon conviction or three years following summary conviction.