Parents of undocumented Hong Kong baby have DNA samples taken after arrest
Baby Danny may later be placed in foster care until parents are deemed fit to regain custody, lawmaker says
The parents of an undocumented baby had their DNA samples taken for tests required for their son’s birth registration following their arrest on Tuesday on suspicion of child neglect, Hong Kong police have revealed.
The development on Wednesday came after the Social Welfare Department on Tuesday night said that it had applied to the court for a protection order in the boy’s best interests and had drawn up a care plan.
Department Senior Social Work Officer Stephanie Lee Wing-sze said it had applied to the court for a protection order and the court had instructed that the two-month-old Danny be sent to a care home to ensure his safety.
“We need some time to speak to the relevant parties, gather information and make an assessment,” Lee said. “We’d also seek professional advice. We will then submit these to the court for the next steps regarding the implementation of welfare plans.”
Police Superintendent Billy Ching Chi-yan said that Danny had been taken to Caritas Medical Centre for a check-up, with initial results showing no obvious injuries.
Legislator Reverend Peter Koon Ho-ming said the department was expected to take over the baby’s care for at least a year. He told the South China Morning Post that the department would later consider placing Danny in foster care until his parents were deemed fit to regain custody.