{
  "id": 16889759,
  "title": "Ex-convict turned hawker, 52, haven't seen his children for 20 years, hopes to cook for them one day",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/ex-convict-turned-hawker-52-havent-seen-his-children-for-20-years",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T11:32:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mothership",
    "slug": "mothership",
    "url": "https://mothership.sg/2026/10/ex-convict-turned-hawker-appeals-to-reconnect-with-estranged-children/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dominic Neo, a 52-year-old ex-convict and founder of the famous char kway teow stall Liang Ji Legendary Char Kway Teow, has made an emotional appeal to reconnect with his estranged children. The last time he saw his kids was when his son was seven and his daughter was still a baby. Neither of his children, now aged 30 and 25 respectively, have responded to his latest plea. In his Facebook post, Neo shared an old photograph of his children, which is the only picture he holds dear, as he carries it in his wallet. He hopes to cook for them at his stall one day and wants his children to understand and forgive him. Neo's appeal stems from his deteriorating health, with recent lung issues and mental health concerns contributing to his emotional state. He divorced his wife in 2003, before his son and daughter were born, and admitted to being an absent father. Despite the pain of seeing other families with their children, Neo acknowledges his own struggles growing up with divorced parents and was raised by his mother. Losing his mother while he was in jail added to his grief, as he was unable to bid her farewell and his children missed her wake. Neo's love for his children remains unwavering, and he hopes that reconnecting with them would bring him closure.",
  "summary": "Neo said he last had contact with his children about 23 years ago, when his son was seven and his daughter was still a baby.",
  "key_points": [
    "52-year-old ex-convict Dominic Neo seeks to reconnect with estranged children.",
    "Last saw children aged 7 and 1; neither responded to his plea.",
    "Neo hopes to cook for them at his famous char kway teow stall one day."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Neo’s public plea highlights how long-term estrangement and declining health can drive former offenders to seek emotional closure and reconciliation through social media platforms.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}