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| Police officers say the Filipina DH was arrested along with her Indonesian co-worker |
A 28-year-old Filipina domestic helper is due to be charged at Fan Ling court today with ill-treatment of a child, after a four-month-old infant she had been looking after for three months was found with brain injuries and had to undergo emergency surgery.
The boy’s 16-month-old brother is also in hospital,
after reportedly being found with bruises at the family’s residence in Sheung
Shui.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
A 45-year-old Indonesian DH who was employed in the
same household for about six months was also arrested but remains under police
investigation.
Police said in a press briefing on Wednesday that the
boys were under the care of both helpers, who were arrested on Tuesday.
The officers said they received a report from Prince
of Wales Hospital on Sunday after doctors found suspicious injuries on the infant,
including bleeding in the brain and retina, which were consistent with what is commonly
known as “shaken baby syndrome.”
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| Photo uploaded online by someone claiming to be the baby's father |
The baby was taken to North District Hospital
earlier that day where the brain injuries were discovered. He was transferred
to Prince of Wales Hospital for emergency surgery and is now in stable
condition, but remains in intensive care.
CCTV footage from the family’s home reportedly
showed the Filipina harming the infant in the early hours of Sunday. She is
also suspected of injuring the older boy.
But the police said the home surveillance camera
covered only the living room area, and no severe abuse was seen in the footage
from the past few days.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
They added doctors have indicated that injuries
associated with “shaken baby syndrome” do not occur from a single incident.
The police said medical experts will be consulted on
how the injuries were inflicted, and whether there are indications of prolonged
abuse.
Ongoing investigations will also include a check on the
family background and caregiving arrangements.
The police did not comment on a social media post by
someone claiming to be the boys’ father who said his baby was rushed to
hospital after he was found unresponsive by the younger helper.
The home CCTV allegedly showed the Filipina shaking
the baby and grabbing him by the neck.
The police briefing on the case was held just one
day after the Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance came into effect.
The Ordinance mandates 25 categories of specified
professionals, including doctors and social workers, to report as soon as practicable
any suspected case of child abuse encountered in the the course of their work.
Any specified professional who fails to comply could
be jailed for up to three months and fined up to $50,000.
