Parents of girl lugging beer held for possible neglect
Police on Wednesday arrested the parents of a young girl who was filmed to be lugging packs of beer on the streets of Tuen Mun, while her father stood beside her. The 38-year-old man and his 32-year-old spouse have been detained on suspicion of "ill-treatment or neglect by those in charge of child or young person". Officers from the Child Abuse Investigation Unit launched a probe after a passerby…
Police have arrested the parents of a young girl seen lugging packs of beer on the streets of Tuen Mun on Wednesday. The 38-year-old father and 32-year-old mother are suspected of ill-treatment or neglect by authorities responsible for children and young persons. This came after a passerby filmed the scene on Tuesday and posted the video on social media, sparking widespread concern.
The video, nearly four minutes long and filmed at Fu Tai Estate, shows the girl, believed to be around ten years old, carrying two bags of beer, a damaged backpack, and wearing a school uniform. Accompanying the girl were a man and two children. The parents have been referred to the Social Welfare Department, and a multi-disciplinary case conference will be held to assess their needs.
The Social Welfare Department stated that social workers have already contacted the family, and a follow-up plan will be created to provide assistance based on the child's health, developmental status, and the family's caregiving capacity. The girl's school released a statement on Wednesday, saying that social workers and teachers had immediately intervened and will continue to monitor the case.
They also asked the public to refrain from sharing or forwarding the video to safeguard the girl's privacy and mental well-being.
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