Chin Swee Road death: Toddler's parents to remain in remand
SINGAPORE — A couple who were charged two months ago with murdering their two-year-old daughter in a Chin Swee Road flat in 2014 were on Tuesday (26 November) ordered to be remanded for six more weeks.
A police prosecutor successfully applied to a Criminal Mentions Court for their cases to be adjourned, pending reports from the Health Sciences Authority and medical reports.
He also said investigators needed time to consult with the Attorney-General’s Chambers. The Singaporean duo’s cases will be mentioned again on 7 January.
The man, 31, and woman, 30, cannot be named due to a gag order to protect the identities of their other children. They appeared at the State Courts on Tuesday via video-link.
The couple were first charged with murder on 17 September but have been in remand since June last year for other offences.
The woman is currently serving a jail term of five years and two months for drug and theft offences after being sentenced in September. Meanwhile, the man has several drug charges and one count of rioting pending in court.
Background of the case
It was previously reported that human remains were found in a metal pot in the one-room rental flat following complaints of a foul smell by neighbours. Police officers responded to a call on 10 September and took away items including the pot.
Last month, Members of Parliament asked Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee several questions on the incident, including why government agencies were not aware that the child was missing; whether the family was under the watch of a ministry-appointed counsellor; and what measures are in place to detect cases of potential abuse.
Said Lee in a written reply, “What I will say is this: Based on what the family members had said at that time, and the interactions that the family had with the different agencies, the officers and social workers did not suspect that the child had gone missing or had come to any harm.”
“The family had said that the child was being looked after by relatives. A two-year-old child will generally have no interaction, on a regular basis, with agencies,” he added.
If found guilty of murder, the couple face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Related stories:
Social workers, officers 'did not suspect' toddler in Chin Swee Road death had gone missing
Chin Swee Road death: Woman accused of murdering her daughter remanded for psychiatric evaluation
Family in Chin Swee Road alleged murder had 'interactions' with community agencies: MSF
Chin Swee Road death: Man remanded for 3 weeks for psychiatric observation
Body found at Chin Swee Road: Couple charged with murdering their toddler in March 2014
