A tragedy may be on the horizon if the welfare of children is not prioritized, warned Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew. His remarks came after a report surfaced about a toddler who was discovered wandering alone along Laucala Beach Road in Nasinu and was subsequently taken to a police station.
ACP Juki emphasized that the police would thoroughly investigate all cases of child neglect. In a post on their official Facebook page, the police appealed to the public for help in identifying the toddler’s parents or guardians. The child was later reunited with family after the post gained attention online.
The Commissioner indicated that for cases involving children, the police would consider negligence that could lead to legal charges against parents or guardians. He noted that this was not an isolated incident, stating, “This is not the first such case we have encountered,” and expressed concern over the frequency of these reports.
He highlighted previous incidents where children faced tragic outcomes such as drowning, scalding, or being hit by vehicles, all due to inadequate supervision or neglect from caregivers. ACP Chew urged parents and guardians to be vigilant, as children are naturally curious, and moments of inattention can lead to disasters.
Assistant Minister for Children Sashi Kiran also addressed the situation, urging all parents and guardians to prioritize the welfare of children and maintain awareness of their whereabouts. Kiran referenced a recent incident in which a one-year-old boy tragically lost his life after reportedly being struck by a vehicle when he wandered onto the road unnoticed.
“The issue of child protection is something that we really have to think about,” Kiran stated, recognizing the challenges faced by nuclear families in urban areas in finding adequate childcare, but stressing the importance of ensuring children are not neglected to avoid preventable tragedies.