Child neglect case 'mind-boggling': lawmaker

A lawmaker on Wednesday called a controversial child neglect case "mind-boggling", saying he couldn't understand how the parents would leave their newborn without a birth certificate or any medical records. The parents were arrested on Tuesday after the case went viral online as they refused DNA testing to prove their relationship with the baby following a home birth. Speaking on an RTHK programme, Peter Koon, who chairs Legco's social welfare panel, says the baby's safety is what matters most – and a court could issue a protection order if the parents are found unfit to care for him. "Following the issuance of a child protection order, the baby could be sent to a facility that specialises in caring for newborns," he said. "As for who becomes the guardian, that really depends on the court's order. But theoretically, temporary guardianship could be granted to the Director of Social Welfare." Speaking on the same programme, Patrick Ip, a paediatrics professor at the University of Hong Kong, said he's worried about the baby's health. "This case makes me uneasy. The parents had two other children — neither went smoothly. One of them died young. Was there a problem with the way they cared for them?" he questioned. "For this newborn without a birth certificate, there's no way to get proper vaccinations or health monitoring. This is very far from ideal." The Social Welfare Department said it is seeking a protection order for the infant from the court, adding it will come up with a plan that puts the baby's health and interests first. Edited by Tony Sabine