Father of girl who lived in Circuit Road market stall given 24-month conditional warning

SINGAPORE – The father of a 15-year-old girl who lived in a wet market stall for almost a year has been given a 24-month conditional warning.

If the 63-year-old commits an offence during this period, he can be prosecuted for the original crime.

Under the Children and Young Persons Act, a person who ill-treats a child under their care by committing an act that endangers the safety of the child can be jailed for up to eight years, fined up to $8,000, or both.

In a joint statement on Feb 14, the police and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said the decision to issue the conditional warning to the man was made after the facts and circumstances of this case were considered, in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

The police and MSF said the girl has been

adjusting well in foster care

and attends a special needs school regularly.

MSF and social service professionals have been working with the father to facilitate supervised access to his daughter and support her well-being, said the authorities.

In April 2024, The Straits Times reported that

the girl lived in the stall at Circuit Road Market and Food Centre with her father, who rented it.

 Both are Singapore permanent residents.

The 2m by 3m stall had foldable mattresses, two soft toys and a fan when ST visited that month.

Stall owners said the girl, who barely spoke and mostly gestured, had relieved herself in pails.

The case was uncovered in April 2024 during routine checks by the National Environment Agency (NEA). It reported the case to MSF’s Child Protective Service and the girl was taken under its care and admitted to a hospital for medical assessment.

In October that year, MSF said the girl was under the care of foster parents and was

learning to use

simple words

to express herself and articulate her basic needs.

Stall owners previously described the girl as skinny and small, and said they rarely saw her walk on her own. Instead, she would walk on her father’s feet like a toddler as he held her shoulders.

They urged the father to get help but they said he ignored their advice.

MSF encourages families who need support to seek help early from any family service centre in their neighbourhood, which can provide vital assistance.

Those who see signs of potential abuse or neglect should call the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline on 1800-777-0000, or the police if there is imminent danger.