A Filipina maid who dumped her newborn baby in a mall toilet appeared in Tsuen Wan court on Apr 14, charged with infanticide.
The 37-year-old woman was arrested after she went to the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section to seek help to surrender.
“She came to me and I called the police to inform them that I was going to accompany her to the station to surrender,” said Hermogenes Cayabyab Jr.
The police detained the suspect for further questioning.
PathFinders, a Hong Kong charity aiding and protecting migrant women and their children, offered to assist the woman and urged pregnant domestic workers to seek help, no matter how difficult or embarrassing it may be.
The NGO’s deputy chief executive Luna Chan said: “We can provide counselling and access to justice services for the woman if she is in need.” She requested The SUN to relay the message.
Local newspapers citing investigators reported that the woman confessed to giving birth to a stillborn and dumping it in the toilet.
The baby was found by a clerk in Chan Kee Plaza in Sham Tseng at about 7:45 pm on Apr 4 after she looked for the source of a foul smell in the toilet. The infant was believed to have been dead for two days. Its placenta and umbilical cord were still intact.
Cayabyab, who interviewed the woman identified as Aileen P., said the baby’s father is an African.
He said the employer was supportive when she learned of the maid’s predicament but dismissed her upon hearing of her arrest. The Filipina was less than a year into her second contract with the employer, who lived in Tsuen Wan.
PathFinders’ case managers and social workers help guide and counsel all women regardless of visa status in a non-judgmental manner, PathFinders said. It has assisted more than 3,000 women, babies and children in this situation over the last eight years.
“The issues affecting Hong Kong’s pregnant foreign domestic workers and their babies who are born here can be extremely complex and difficult to unravel,” Kay McArdle, CEO of PathFinders, said.
She urged any worker who suspects she may be pregnant to seek advice early on.
“Do not delay. From a medical perspective, delayed intervention presents risks and complications for all concerned. You are not alone. We urge you to call or whatsapp to PathFinders’ hotline on 5190 4886,” she said.
