So (right) and her granddaughter (partly hidden) arrive in the hospital brings her infant grandson. Left photo shows her leaving the hospital with another infant in her arms. Photos: Metro Daily, Ming Pao
A 78-year-old woman left to look after three young children is at the center of growing public concern over such family arrangements after a month-old infant died in her care.
The baby boy died in a hospital after the woman, surnamed So, found him unconscious, apparently from milk drowning.
The infant was one of two babies brought home weeks apart by her son who reportedly fathered them from different Indonesian women.
So is also looking after her son’s seven-year-old daughter.
Witnesses recalled the woman rushing the infant to a hospital with the other baby in her arms, according to Headline Daily.
So, who works as a cleaner in Kowloon Bay, lives with the children in a 300 square foot flat in Tsz Ching Estate in Tsz Wan Shan.
The children’s father, surnamed Chan, is often not around to help with their care.
Chan denied the two babies were left to the care of his seven-year-old daughter when his mother went to work, saying other adults would be around.
Social welfare experts said the government can intervene in such cases if a family is unable to care for multiple young children.
It can authorize social workers to act as guardians under the child protection ordinance.
The experts urged family counselling for So and her granddaughter to help them deal with the tragedy.
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