Hong Kong police arrest parents of 11-year-old girl filmed carrying dozens of beer cans

Hong Kong police have taken action against the parents of an 11-year-old girl after she was caught on camera struggling to carry 24 beer cans through Tuen Mun, while her father berated her. The parents, a 38-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of child abuse, commonly referred to as ill-treatment or neglect of a child or young person. They are currently in custody and await further investigation.

The incident came to light after a video of the girl carrying the beer cans circulated online on Tuesday. Passers-by attempted to assist her, but she declined, stating she was afraid of her father's scolding. Later, the father appeared with two other children and berated the girl, calling her a "useless person."

Initially, the police received a report about the girl "exercising" and picking up the beer cans on her own. However, the case was later reclassified as a request for police assistance. The New Territories North Child Abuse Investigation Unit took over the case and referred it to the Social Welfare Department for further investigation.

The girl's parents denied the allegations, claiming the incident was a "misunderstanding" and a method to train their daughter's motor skills due to her condition affecting physical coordination. The girl herself admitted in an interview that she had carried 8, 16, and finally 24 cans of beer. The parents clarified that they have three children, with the girl in the video being the daughter from her father's previous marriage.

All three children have special needs, and they mentioned the lack of adequate services for children with special needs in Tuen Mun District.