SINGAPORE: A seven-year-old girl who was removed from the
care of her mother has been returned for the time being to her
parents after the case went from the Juvenile Court to the High
Court.
Her father had previously been described by the court as a "missing
parent" and his wife as "difficult" and "unreasonable".
But the couple, who cannot be named to protect the child's
identity, filed an appeal in their legal tussle against Child
Protection Services (CPS) - resulting in a consensual arrangement
between all parties on Monday, said presiding Judge of Appeal V K
Rajah.
The parents will now work with CPS to ensure the child's welfare
and needs are attended to.
The case came before the courts in August, when CPS raised concerns
over the psychological impact of the wife's parenting.
From 2005 to 2006, the child changed schools four times; school
authorities found it difficult to deal with the mother, who was
reportedly demanding and harassed them.
The mother also made the girl wear diapers till Primary 2. When she
was in pre-school, the mother reportedly disallowed teachers from
changing her soiled diapers.
The Juvenile Court ordered the child to be placed in The Salvation
Army Gracehaven for three months so that CPS could assess her
development, away from the interference of her mother.
The mother, a university graduate, was clearly aggrieved by the
court's interim order. "If you're not happy with me, lock me up.
Why lock up my child?" she said in court yesterday.
On the diaper issue, she retorted: "Who's this great philosopher
who says you're toilet trained from three to four years, or five to
six years?"
The 40-year-old said her child was toilet-trained and was wearing
pull-up pants which looked like underwear.
The father, a diploma-holder, argued there were no records of any
abuse on the child, and that there was nothing to suggest she was
in imminent danger.
The 42-year-old related the family's financial difficulties. After
losing his job in 2002, he moved out of their matrimonial home to
get help from his mother, but denied that his marriage was breaking
down.
State Counsel Chung Yoon Joo argued, however, that the father was
known to the child as "Uncle". The child also did not know she had
an elder sister who was placed under her grandparents' care five
years ago after she showed up in school with a black eye.
The father, now a production team operator, is back with his
family. He said: "I believe I have taken responsibility (for the
child) and will continue doing so."
Justice Rajah assured the couple that all parties in yesterday's
hearing "wanted the best for the child".
"The removal of the child from the parents is a very drastic remedy
that should be resorted to only when there's a real fear of
imminent physical and psychological danger," he said. All parties
should work together on the issue, he added.
The appeal adjourned to the Judge's chambers after being heard in
open court for 90 minutes. After more than two hours of closed-door
discussions, Justice Rajah said the parties had "consensually
arrived at an arrangement".
He did not disclose details of his orders, but said the parents
will work with CPS now that they have their daughter back. Another
review will be conducted in two months.
- TODAY/so