‘Keeps Eyes on Children’

Tragedy is bound to happen if children’s welfare is not prioritised.

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew made the statement in response to a report surfacing yesterday morning where a toddler was taken to a nearby Police station after two women found him wandering alone along Laucala Beach Road in Nasinu.

ACP Juki said Police would exhaust all avenues to ascertain the cause of all child neglect incidents. Yesterday morning, Police on their official Facebook page pleaded with the general public to assist them identify the toddler’s parents or guardians. The toddler reunited with his family after the post went viral.

ACP Chew said for such cases, Police will also look at elements of negligence where legal charges could be made for parents and guardians.

“This is not the first such case we have encountered,” ACP Chew said.

“It is very concerning, and as is with every report or case involving a child, we will look at the element of negligence, and parents and guardians have been charged in previous cases.

“We had similar cases before, whereby a child drowned, burnt with hot water, or run over by a vehicle.

“All these were due to lack of supervision or neglect by parents and or guardians. These cases were unfortunate because they were avoidable if the issue of supervising children was prioritised.

“They are young, inquisitive, and a few seconds is all it takes for tragedy to occur.

“We call on parents and guardians to be extra vigilant with children under their care.”

Minister appeals

Assistant Minister for Children Sashi Kiran while acknowledging the incident, made a call on all parents and guardians to prioritise children’s welfare and know where they are.

Last Monday, a one-year-old boy died in Naitonitoni, Navua, after he was allegedly hit by a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old man.

The toddler allegedly left home unnoticed and walked onto the road where he was hit by the vehicle.

“The issue of child protection is something that we really have to think about,” Ms Kiran said.

“We understand that nuclear parents, especially in towns and cities, find it hard to get child care but when we have children, it’s easy to find the right kind of support to ensure that they are not neglected. Incidents can happen and a life lost.”

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