Domestic worker charged with child abuse after 23-month-old girl scalded

A 30-year-old domestic worker from Indonesia, identified as Khumaeroh, has been formally charged with child abuse following an incident in Hong Kong. The charges stem from allegations that she scalded a 23-month-old girl with hot water while the girl was under her care. Khumaeroh, who goes by a single name in Indonesia, made her appearance in the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

The case was reported to the police by the girl's father, who discovered the burns on his daughter's hands after the domestic helper had left for work. The girl was taken to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment, where she is currently being observed for her second-degree burns. The defendant was represented by an Indonesian interpreter during her court appearance, and due to the nature of the charges, she was remanded in custody pending the trial.

According to the police, child abuse charges can carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.