The Acting Commissioner of Police, Juki Fong Chew, emphasized the urgent need to prioritize children’s welfare following a recent incident where a toddler was found wandering alone along Laucala Beach Road in Nasinu. Two women discovered the child and took him to a nearby police station.
ACP Chew stated that the police would thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding incidents of child neglect. In a public appeal on their official Facebook page, the police requested assistance in identifying the toddler’s parents or guardians, and the child was eventually reunited with his family after the post gained widespread attention.
The Commissioner highlighted the importance of examining cases for potential negligence, which could lead to legal charges against parents and guardians. He noted, “This is not the first such case we have encountered,” stressing the concerning nature of these incidents.
He reflected on past tragedies, such as instances of children drowning, being burned, or injured in traffic accidents, all attributed to a lack of supervision or neglect. “These were unfortunate and avoidable cases,” he stated, urging guardians to maintain vigilance over their children, who can quickly find themselves in dangerous situations due to their curiosity.
In related remarks, Assistant Minister for Children, Sashi Kiran, echoed the call for parents and guardians to actively prioritize their children’s safety and whereabouts. She referenced a recent tragedy in Naitonitoni, Navua, where a one-year-old boy lost his life after allegedly being hit by a vehicle while he had wandered unnoticed from home.
Kiran emphasized the critical nature of child protection, acknowledging the challenges faced by parents in urban areas but urged them to seek the necessary support to prevent neglect. “Incidents can happen, and a life can be lost,” she warned.