The Social Welfare Department (SWD) said today (July 24) that it is continuing to follow up on the abandoned child case which happened in Kwong Wah Hospital on July 21.
The Police filed an application to the Juvenile Court for a Care or Protection Order for the boy concerned on July 22. In accordance with the court order, the boy was arranged with residential care service in the Tuen Mun Children and Juvenile Home (TMCJH) of the SWD. The case was adjourned to August 18, pending submission of a report on the boy's condition by the social worker of the SWD.
The Police have already contacted the mother of the boy. The case worker of the SWD will also contact her and, upon comprehensive assessments on the boy's condition, formulate suitable suggestions on his welfare plans for the court's consideration. The boy is required to reside in the TMCJH in accordance with the court order until the court has ruled on his welfare plan. With professional care and counselling services provided by the home, the boy is in good health and stable emotional condition. He also participates in group activities in the home.
The SWD said that while this kind of abandoned child case is very rare in Hong Kong, social workers will, when handling each individual case, formulate suitable welfare plans for the children with their best interest as the paramount concern, taking account of all relevant information and factors of the case.
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