Police said two women were arrested in Wong Tai Sin on 23 October on suspicion of ill-treating or neglecting a child or young person in their care. The arrests followed a referral about an 11-year-old girl; the Social Welfare Department said social workers had contacted her family and arranged a medical assessment.
Police said the girl had swollen hands and feet and was conscious when she was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment. She was later transferred to Hong Kong Children's Hospital.
HK01 identified the women as the girl’s 61-year-old maternal grandmother and a 43-year-old Indonesian domestic helper. Police said both were being detained for investigation.
The case drew attention after videos circulated online on 22 October. One showed the girl asking viewers for help from a room; loud banging on the door interrupted her, and she began crying. Another appeared to show a man believed to be her father berating her.
The Social Welfare Department said its social workers would remain in contact with the family and convene a multidisciplinary case conference. The assessment is to consider the girl’s safety and development, her caregivers’ ability to care for her, and the family’s circumstances, so that appropriate support can be provided.
A registered counselling psychologist interviewed by HK01 advised parents to stay calm during conflict and listen to understand a child’s feelings. She said parents who persistently struggle to control their emotions should seek help from a qualified counsellor or psychologist.
The Social Welfare Department’s 24-hour hotline, 2343 2255, offers help with child-care or family difficulties; Against Child Abuse can be reached on 2755 1122. Call 999 if there is an immediate threat of violence. Young people experiencing emotional distress can contact TWGHs CEASE Crisis Centre on 18281 or The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups on 2777 8899.