Neglecting children could land parents in jail, warns Minister

Parents and guardians who neglect children could face criminal charges, including jail time, Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Sashi Kiran has warned.

The warning comes amid growing concern over cases where children have died due to a lack of supervision.

In a recent incident, a female driver has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a three-year-old earlier this year in a road accident.

The child’s guardian, who was reportedly with the child at the time, has also been charged with manslaughter.

Speaking on the issue, Ms Kiran said the responsibility of caring for children is shared among parents, grandparents, and other family members.

“Any neglect is not acceptable, and unfortunately, some of these neglects result in tragic outcomes,” she said.

“We have been warning the public, and the law allows us to charge those responsible. In the last five years, there have been about 10,000 cases of child neglect.”

Minister Kiran acknowledged the challenge of balancing legal action with child welfare, noting that when parents are jailed, children can sometimes face further neglect.

However, she stressed that the Government will not tolerate carelessness that puts children’s lives at risk.

“We simply cannot lose the lives of children. We urge all parents and family members to take their responsibilities seriously,” she said.

“It is also important during times of flooding, when children often play in dangerous waters, that guardians stay vigilant and ensure their safety.”

The statement comes as authorities continue to emphasise the importance of child protection, urging communities to remain alert and responsible.