Hong Kong ‘free birth’ couple hope to reunite with son Danny under gov’t supervision

A Hong Kong couple, facing child neglect allegations, have expressed willingness to accept government supervision to be reunited with their infant son, Danny. Authorities took the baby into custody after he was born at home unregistered on June 6, 2026.

An expert panel convened by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) recommended Danny remain in public care due to a high risk of neglect. This recommendation stems from the death of the couple's first daughter, Constance, and Swedish authorities removing their second child, Lily, over welfare concerns. The case is scheduled for a hearing at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

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We wish to take Danny home and accept continued supervision by the SWD. We will provide an address and contact methods to the SWD to ensure that authorities can constantly monitor Danny’s situation.

The couple, Tsang Wai-bong and Kwan Pui-sin, stated they would provide their address and contact details to the SWD, ensuring continuous monitoring of Danny. They also committed to monthly visits from social workers and ensuring the infant receives appropriate medical care, including regular check-ups and treatment for a recent respiratory infection.

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We will also ensure that social workers can regularly visit Danny and provide him with appropriate medical care, such as bringing him to hospital or clinic for check-ups every month.

They were arrested on suspicion of child neglect after refusing a DNA test for Danny's birth registration. The infant, born unassisted at home, had not received medical check-ups. The couple, who advocate for home births without registered medical professionals, maintain they are not challenging modern medicine but seeking less intrusive treatments. They are also fighting for the custody of their second child, Lily, whose permanent transfer to Swedish authorities is being sought by that country's social welfare agencies.

"We wish to take Danny home and accept continued supervision by the SWD," the pair said in a statement. "We will provide an address and contact methods to the SWD to ensure that authorities can constantly monitor Danny’s situation."

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We reiterate that we do not seek to challenge modern medicine. We are only hoping… to find less intrusive but effective treatments so as to reduce unnecessary medical risks.