Ho Chi Minh City authorities issue urgent directive to protect 3-year-old girl from stepfather's abuse

Ho Chi Minh City police are consolidating evidence to pursue criminal charges against Nguyễn Hiền Phúc, 25, for the alleged abuse of a 3-year-old girl, identified as H.B.T.D. Phúc, who was living with the child's mother, B.T.T.V, 26, has been arrested on charges of 'abusing another person.'

Social media circulated a video showing a man repeatedly kicking and slapping a crying and fearful young girl. The abuse reportedly stopped only when a woman intervened. Police investigated, reviewing camera footage and interviewing involved parties. Phúc admitted to authorities that he frequently beat the child because she was a reluctant eater and cried often. The most severe incident occurred in late March, when Phúc allegedly kicked the child forcefully, causing her to fall face-down on a mattress, and then slapped her repeatedly.

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abusing another person

Recognizing Phúc's actions as potentially constituting the crime of 'abusing another person,' Lái Thiêu Ward police arrested Phúc under emergency circumstances. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has issued an urgent directive to relevant agencies, calling for immediate intervention to protect the child's legal rights. The department requested the People's Committee of Lái Thiêu Ward to closely monitor the child's health, psychological state, and living conditions.

The directive also calls for the application of a coordination process to support intervention, as per Decision 4114/QĐ-UBND, to ensure the child receives full access to protective services. Furthermore, the local authorities are asked to develop a long-term support plan for the victim's family. The Department of Health also requested Ho Chi Minh City police to direct law enforcement to cooperate in the investigation and strictly handle Phúc's case, while ensuring the child's privacy is absolutely protected during the legal proceedings. The Center for Social Work and the Children's Protection Fund of Bình Dương have been asked to coordinate with local authorities to provide psychological counseling and arrange alternative care or emergency protective measures if necessary.

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due to the child's reluctance to eat and frequent crying, he had repeatedly beaten her.