Domestic helper arrested after 1-year-old girl suffers burns in Hong Kong

A domestic helper has been arrested in Hong Kong on suspicion of child neglect after a one-year-old girl in her care suffered second-degree burns to her hands, according to the child’s mother.A police source on Thursday confirmed that the Indonesian helper, 30, was arrested in Yuen Long the previous day after the girl’s father filed a report.The incident occurred while the helper was caring for the girl and her three-year-old brother at their Yuen Long home and their parents were at work, according to a source familiar with the case.The helper allegedly took the girl to the bathroom to separate the two children and prevent them from hurting each other.“The arrestee claimed that she was preparing warm water for the victim to play with, but the victim put her hand into the sink before she could test the water temperature, causing the injuries,” the source said.In a Facebook post, the girl’s mother said a doctor had diagnosed her daughter with second-degree burns. She said the skin on the child’s hands had turned red and that bruises were also found on her forehead.The incident occurred while the helper was caring for the girl and her three-year-old brother at home. Officers of the Yuen Long crime investigation team are handling the case. Photo: Jelly Tse