Couple arrested on suspicion of child neglect after refusal to submit birth records

Authorities have arrested two parents in Cheung Sha Wan on suspicion of child neglect, after the couple who claimed to have given birth at home refused to provide proof of the baby's birth, resulting in their failure to acquire a birth certificate for over two months.

The child has been sent to hospital for health check.

This as Secretary for Security Chris Tang criticised the pair for their refusal to submit the infant's records.

The couple, surnamed Tsang and Kwan, earlier claimed online that they gave birth to their son Danny at home two months ago, but had been unable to acquire a birth certificate.

This after the pair failed to fulfil the Immigration Department's requirement to provide proof of blood relations, such as a DNA testing report.

The couple cited privacy reasons for their refusal.

In an earlier interview, Ms. Kwan questioned whether doctors and immigration authorities will automatically confirm blood relations if the baby is born in a hospital.

While Mr. Tsang said he will tell his son that his right to privacy need to be protected.

After several days of investigation, the police arrested the couple in Cheung Sha Wan this afternoon on suspicion of child neglect.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang noted the pair still refuse to provide relevant information.

He stressed the case is unrelated to issues of privacy, as authorities are simply asking the parents to provide evidence of their relationship to the child.

He emphasised it is reasonable to be suspicious of their claims of parenthood if the couple fails to provide records of a prenatal check-up or DNA test.

The infant has been sent to hospital for a health check, with Social Welfare Department personnel having been sent to the hospital to check on his situation.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun noted authorities will handle the case in accordance with the law as well as emotional considerations.

The couple once claimed in an online article of having given birth to two girls in Finland in 2021, before one of them died just a month later.

The two were subsequently charged by Finnish authorities on suspicion of child neglect.

They then moved to Sweden where their remaining daughter was placed under a formal care order and given to a foster family.