In the months preceding the alleged murder of a five-year-old girl, a disturbing tale of neglect and ill treatment unfolded within the confines of a one-room flat.
The father, now standing trial, is accused of subjecting his daughter to physical assault, resulting in her untimely death.
The prosecutors told the High Court on Wednesday (5 July) that the man had allegedly confined his two children inside the toilet of a one-room flat and only let them out for meals or when he or his wife (the children’s stepmother) had to use the toilet.
Living in Squalor
The two young children, the victim, and her younger brother, were forced to endure appalling living conditions. Confined to a single room, they were stripped and confined to the toilet, except for mealtimes and when their father and stepmother needed to use the facilities.
Adding to their distress, a closed-circuit TV camera was installed, allowing their parents to monitor them even in their most vulnerable moments.
Severe Neglect
On the fateful morning of August 12, 2017, the lifeless body of the young girl was taken to Singapore General Hospital, more than 15 hours after her father discovered her lifeless.
Medical examinations revealed the extent of her suffering—a severely malnourished body adorned with bruises, abrasions, and scars. Deputy Public Prosecutor Han Ming Kuang described the case as a tragic instance of child neglect and ill treatment that led to the demise of an innocent life.
Concealing the Crime
Following the discovery of his daughter’s lifeless body, the accused embarked on a disturbing course of action to hide the evidence. He packed items associated with the girl’s death, meticulously cleaned the flat, and even went as far as washing her body, dressing her, and placing her in a pram.
In an attempt to deceive the authorities, he coerced his wife into claiming that the children were elsewhere while he disposed of the incriminating items and purchased beer. Upon his return, he subjected his wife to physical assault.
Arrest and Trial
The following morning, the accused disposed of the evidence in various bins near their residence before taking the lifeless girl and her brother in the pram to Singapore General Hospital.
Despite the medical team’s attempts to revive her, she was pronounced dead.
The hospital promptly notified the police, leading to the arrest of the father on the same day. During the initial interrogation, he concocted a fabricated story, claiming that his daughter had died due to an accident on a slide. He also lied about spending the entire night away from the flat with the children.
The Wife’s Testimony
The trial proceeded with the testimony of the accused’s wife, the stepmother of the deceased girl. She revealed shocking details about her indifference towards her stepchildren and her complicity in the incident(s).
The wife testified that she treated her own children as “normal,” while describing her stepchildren as “skinny” due to insufficient food. When questioned about the stark difference in her treatment, she callously admitted to feeling nothing for them, displaying a complete lack of empathy.
The stepmother’s testimony shed light on the underlying dynamics that perpetuated the ill treatment. She disclosed that her husband confined the children to a corner of the flat as a punishment for tearing their diapers.
Disturbing photographs revealed that furniture, including a wardrobe and bookshelf, were used to barricade the children in the corner, intensifying their isolation and suffering.
The Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution presented a compelling case against the accused, charging him with murder along with 25 additional counts of ill-treatment towards the two children.
Their evidence showcased a pattern of physical ill treatment, including punching, slapping, kicking, and lifting the girl by her neck against a wall.
The prosecution also revealed instances where a pair of scissors was brandished, and the girl was thrown onto a mattress. The boy, the girl’s younger brother, also endured similar mistreatment.