A 35-year-old single mother, who has a criminal record of drug possession, was arrested on yesterday on suspicion of child abuse, after she sent her five-year-old son to look for her missing 10-year-old son instead of contacting police.
The 10-year-old went missing on Sunday evening, with the pint-sized search party send on on Monday evening, according to Apple Daily (as translated by EJI).
Passersby called the police when they noticed the five-year-old wandering alone outside a convenience store. Police later located the 10-year-old son at Kwong Fai Circuit in Kwai Chung.
Wong was released on bail, while both her sons were admitted to hospital for inspection.
Police found splashes of red paint on the door of the woman’s flat in Kwai Chung Estate, which could be a sign that she owes people money.
Wong, who lives with her three sons, aged three, five and 10, is receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. The Social Welfare Department claims that it arranged child care service for Wong’s sons in the past, and asked again yesterday if she needs long-term child care services.
Wong had her eldest child with her former partner, and her two younger sons with her current partner.
Wong Yun-tat, a member of the Kwai Tsing District Council and a registered social worker, confessed that the community services are inadequate to cater for the needs of all the single-parent families in the district.
He advised parents to contact the police immediately if their children go missing.
