A couple beat their seven-year-old son earlier this month after they got angry because he did not understand the classwork they were revising with him at home, Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Lou Chan Fai said at a regular press conference on Friday.
According to Lou, the local male and female suspects, both aged 31, are surnamed Lei and Ho respectively, the former works as an air conditioning engineer while the latter told the police that she is jobless.
Lou said that the Judiciary Police were notified by the emergency service of the public Conde de S. Januário Hospital Centre on Thursday afternoon about a child abuse case and requested they investigate the case.
Lou noted that the victim was found to have multiple injuries on his face, body and limbs when he went to school Thursday morning, so the teacher suspected that the boy was a victim of domestic violence, and arranged for him to go to the hospital for treatment.
The suspects were arrested on Thursday at the hospital, Lou said, adding that under questioning, Ho admitted that she had punished her son by hitting him with a coat hanger, bamboo pole, slippers and umbrella over learning issues on Wednesday night, at the same time, Lei also admitted to corporal punishment in the past and was present when their son was beaten by his wife on Wednesday.
According to the hospital, the injuries on the victim’s right elbow, face and back were consistent with a beating, Lou pointed out.
Lou said that the Judiciary Police have transferred the case to the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) and the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) to follow up.
Both Ho and Lei have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), where they face domestic violence charges.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Lou Chan Fai addresses Friday’s regular press conference at the PJ headquarters in Nape. – Photo courtesy of TDM
