Singapore – The parents of the toddler hurt by a group of teens’ actions expressed their disappointment that the case only resulted in a stern warning instead of the teens being charged in court.
One in a group of four young Caucasians was caught on camera throwing a “wet floor” signboard at a four-year-old in November last year.
A video of the incident, which happened outside the Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar Temple along Keong Saik Road, was shared in Wake Up Singapore Facebook page.
One of the teens flung the sign placed outside the temple, hitting the child in the process before running away.
“Please! You cannot do that to a child! What’s your name, IC number? I’m going to report you to the police,” said a woman, presumably the child’s mother.
The police later arrested two 18-year-olds found to be from the same group behind the incident. All four were investigated for public nuisance and theft of public property.
If found guilty of being a public nuisance, each teen could face a S$2,000 fine, imprisonment of up to three months, or both.
For dishonest misappropriation of property, they could face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.
Wake Up Singapore provided an update to the case on Saturday (Jan 22), highlighting that the teens were given a stern warning for the incident.
“Listen to the poor child’s cries. They traumatised a defenceless child. They should have been punished,” the caption noted.
The child’s parents issued a statement, saying they received a call from the Investigating Officer on the case.
Here is their statement in full:
“Thank you very much for all the kind words of support. We are the parents of the child in the video. In view of the overwhelming interest that this incident had, we feel it is necessary to provide an update on the case.
We have been informed moments ago that the men involved in this case have been given a warning and not charged. Understandably, we are disappointed with the outcome of the case. We feel that to get a just outcome for our daughter, we had no other choice but to lodge a magistrate complaint to privately prosecute the case.
However, this course of action may be futile as the perpetrators may be allowed to leave the country shortly. Once again, thanks for all the words of support.”/TISG
Read related: Ang Moh teen probed after flinging signage at child standing outside temple in Keong Saik
Ang Moh teen probed after flinging signage at child standing outside temple in Keong Saik