SINGAPORE — In a distressing case that has shaken the community, a preschool teacher was sentenced to 19 months in jail for abusing two toddlers under her supervision. The 30-year-old woman, who cannot be named due to a court order, displayed egregious actions that included slapping the children and physically trapping them.
Details of Abuse
The incidents occurred between June 2022 and involved a one-year-old girl and a two-year-old boy. The teacher subjected the boy to appalling treatment, dragging him under a table and even leaving him trapped for nearly 13 minutes.
- June 22, 2022: The boy was pulled towards a table, which struck the back of his head, and then shoved under the table.
- Following incidents: The girl was slapped for calling out to another teacher and faced multiple instances of being pushed and hit, leaving her visibly distressed.
Impact on Victims
Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Ariel Tan described the lasting psychological effects on the children. The girl, identified in court documents as V1, began to experience nightmares and her relationship with her father was negatively impacted. Meanwhile, the boy, V2, developed tendencies to hide in dark places when disciplined at home.
The Court Proceedings
During the trial, CCTV footage showed the teacher grinning as she acted out her abuse. District Judge Eddy Tham remarked that the facts presented in court were heartbreaking, intensified by the evidence from the video.
The woman’s actions raised significant concerns, particularly as she took advantage of her position to inflict harm on vulnerable children. Her defence claimed that there was a practice at the preschool of disciplining children in such a manner, but DPP Tan argued that there was no supporting evidence.
A Community Left Reeling
The case has prompted calls for heightened scrutiny of preschool practices and child protection measures. The emotional trauma inflicted has rippled beyond the children, affecting parents and the wider community.
The offender, a mother of two herself, was granted a one-week deferment to begin her sentence and was released on a higher bail amount of S$20,000.
This incident underscores the absolute need for vigilance in the care and education of young children, ensuring their safety is paramount.