A 16-year-old girl from Johor Bahru caused panic among her family after she went missing for more than 24 hours — only to later send her mother a message telling her not to look for her, claiming she was happier without her.
On the morning of 16 July 2025, Yee Hui Rou’s father dropped her off at school at around 6:30am. However, when her mother arrived to pick her up later that afternoon, her teacher informed her that Hui Rou had not been in class that day. Alarmed, the family tried calling her mobile phone, but all attempts failed.
That evening, at 7:58pm, Hui Rou finally contacted her mother via text, writing:
“I’ll take good care of myself. I’m happy now without you.”
Her message brought no comfort to her worried mother, who quickly lodged a police report in hopes of finding her daughter safe.
Teen Shares Her Side on Instagram
The next day, Hui Rou broke her silence with an Instagram Story. She clarified that she was not missing but had intentionally left home. She expressed deep frustration over her family situation, saying that going back would mean being forced into a juvenile detention centre — a place she refused to return to over what she called “a small matter.”
In the same post, Hui Rou accused her mother of unfair treatment. She claimed that she had been made to work at a night market, and when she was dismissed from her job for missing work due to illness, her mother placed the blame squarely on her.
“I wouldn’t die,” Hui Rou wrote. “I just want freedom. For once, I feel alive.”
A Mother’s Regret and a Family’s Struggle
Speaking to China Press, Hui Rou’s mother admitted that she may have made mistakes in raising her daughter. She revealed that she gave birth to Hui Rou at just 17 and later divorced her husband when their daughter was only three. Raising Hui Rou alone was tough, and after giving birth to a second daughter, she admitted she may have unintentionally neglected Hui Rou’s emotional needs.
She insisted, however, that her actions came from a place of love.
“I may have said harsh things in anger, but I never stopped loving her. I just wanted to help her change for the better,” the mother said.
She added that Hui Rou had discipline issues in school, and she believed that the juvenile detention centre could offer structure and guidance.
Safe Return, But Lingering Wounds
Fortunately, recent updates have confirmed that Hui Rou has since returned home safely. While her physical wellbeing has been assured, the emotional wounds in the family may take longer to heal.
This incident sheds light on the growing pressures faced by youth and parents alike — particularly in single-parent households where emotional and financial stress collide. It’s a poignant reminder that open communication, empathy, and mental health support are crucial in bridging the generational and emotional gap between parents and teens.
As this story circulates online, it has sparked a wider discussion on teen mental health, family dynamics, and the importance of support systems for struggling youth.