Kids in beer-toting case placed under care, for now

A girl of 10, along with her two siblings, will be placed under care after her parents were arrested for suspected abuse, according to Chris Sun, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare. The incident came to light when a viral video showed the girl carrying beer cans in Fu Tai Estate, Tuen Mun, while her father stood nearby. The parents were arrested on Wednesday on allegations of ill-treatment or neglect, involving the care or welfare of children or young persons.

Subsequently, the youngsters were rushed to the hospital for evaluation. The parents were subsequently released on bail. Sun stated that the authorities have decided to place the children in temporary accommodation as they deem it unsuitable for them to return home at this stage. The trio may not be able to live together due to their varying ages, but the Social Welfare Department will assist in finding an appropriate residential care home for them.

A multi-disciplinary case conference, involving relevant professionals, will be convened in the coming week to assess the family's situation, their care requirements, the risks to their safety, and their long-term welfare needs. If deemed unsuitable, the authorities may apply for a care or protection order from the court. The Social Welfare Department is also reviewing the family's Comprehensive Social Security Assistance status and will refer the case to the police if any serious violations are discovered.