Hong Kong babysitter released on bail after arrest over allegedly abusing 9-month-old infant
- Nanny recruited under government-funded childcare scheme, released on bail pending further investigation, after being accused of child abuse
- Baby was found unconscious in stroller and remains in a critical condition in hospital with blood clot on her brain
A Hong Kong babysitter recruited under a government-funded childcare scheme has been granted bail following her arrest on suspicion of abusing a nine-month-old girl who suffered a blood clot on her brain.
A government spokeswoman said the baby remained in a critical condition in Tuen Mun Hospital’s intensive care unit as of 11.30am on Monday.
The 33-year-old suspect is required to report back to police next month, according to the force.
A source familiar with the case said crime squad officers were awaiting a medical report from doctors to determine the possible cause of the blood clot and ascertain whether it was recent.
Detectives from the Tuen Mun district crime squad are investigating.
The case has prompted welfare officials to consider reviewing the training of babysitters recruited under the “community nanny” childcare scheme, a support project launched by the government in 2011. Lawmakers have also appealed to the government to set up a more comprehensive training framework for operators and more closely monitor service quality.
According to the Social Welfare Department, the suspect was a community nanny under the scheme.
Hong Kong had 1,756 community nannies by September last year, with the babysitters paid HK$25 (US$3.20) an hour. They cared for 5,605 children under the age of nine from April to September last year, according to the Social Welfare Department.
The department said the woman, who has a two-year-old son, had recently completed training and started work this month. The injured infant was the first child to come under her care.
The government has commissioned 18 NGOs to operate the scheme in the city’s 18 districts.
The babysitter involved in the case was recruited by the infant’s parents through Yan Oi Tong, the NGO in charge of operating the programme, on January 2 as the couple’s domestic helper had gone on leave.
The parents left the child in the nanny’s care at 9.30am, returning to pick up their baby at 6.30pm daily. The couple also has a four-year-old daughter.
The father received a call at 2pm on Thursday from Yan Oi Tong staff, who told him the baby had suffered a spasm after she was bathed at the babysitter’s home in Tuen Mun.
The infant was rushed to Tuen Mun Hospital after the parents arrived at the premises at around 3.30pm and found the child unconscious in the stroller. The child underwent surgery after a blood clot was found on her brain.
On the following day, doctors reported the case to the police as the injuries were suspicious. On Saturday, police arrested the babysitter.
