On 15/8, Huong, 51, along with caregivers Nguyen Thi Ngoc Cam, 47, Diep Ngoc Tuyen, 48, and Trang My Nhanh, 72, appeared before the Ho Chi Minh City Family and Juvenile Court on charges of abuse.
The trial, presided over by Judge Quach Thanh Binh (Deputy Chief Justice of the Family and Juvenile Court), is being held in private to protect the victims.
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Giap Thi Song Huong (center, in green) and Trang My Nhanh at the time of their indictment. Photo: Police Department |
Giap Thi Song Huong (center, in green) and Trang My Nhanh at the time of their indictment. Photo: Police Department
The Hoa Hong Shelter, licensed by District 12's Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, was authorized to care for 39 children. However, at the time of the authorities' inspection, 86 children were present: 15 infants under one year old, 37 children aged one to three, 31 attending an external preschool, and three hospitalized.
During their caregiving duties, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Cam and Diep Ngoc Tuyen repeatedly beat and mistreated the children. Huong and Trang My Nhanh threatened, abused, and repeatedly beat the children.
In one instance, a caregiver sat on a seven-month-old boy and pinched his ears. Another child suffered a bleeding mouth after being lifted and thrown onto a mattress.
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Nguyen Thi Ngoc Cam at the police station. Photo: Police Department |
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Cam at the police station. Photo: Police Department
Last September, following an investigation by Thanh Nien newspaper, reports emerged of caregivers at the Hoa Hong Shelter mistreating numerous infants, some only a few months old. Cam and other caregivers reportedly beat the babies at night, yanking their limbs, throwing them, squeezing their heads and mouths, and repeatedly slapping and punching them. Some infants were beaten until their mouths bled.
The Ho Chi Minh City Police Department immediately directed District 12 Police, the Criminal Police Department, and other relevant agencies to investigate and ensure the safety of the children at the shelter.
Authorities quickly transferred all 86 children to public social welfare facilities for medical examinations, initial healthcare, and ongoing care.
Hai Duyen
