Man in Singapore “treated his daughter like a pet” and confined her to a small market stall for a year

A 63-year-old man in Singapore is under investigation for allegedly confining his 15-year-old daughter to a small market stall for almost a year. According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), the man, surnamed Tan, had been selling vegetables at a market on Circuit Road for a decade. He allegedly made his teenage daughter live in one of three stalls he rented at the market for 11 months. The 15-year-old was discovered when the owner of a neighboring stall smelled excrement coming from Mr Tan’s stall and reported it to Singapore’s National Environment Agency.

The agency’s team discovered the girl in April, SCMP reported. The 15-year-old lived in the six square meter space. Crammed into the small area was a table, refrigerator, fan, and a dirty makeshift bed on the floor.

Neighbors said the father-daughter duo, originally from Malaysia, lived in the tent practically day and night. They had never seen the girl go to school. Neighbors said that the 15-year-old did not leave the shower, not even to wash or go to the bathroom, and the gate was closed both during the day and at night.

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Tan was protective of his daughter and never let her talk to other stall owners, they said. He also rejected offers of help. “He didn’t hit or abuse her, but he treated her like a pet,” said a neighbor, for SCMP. Neighbors also said that the duo already had a house, but the reason for moving to the shack is not known.

Singapore’s National Environment Agency reported the case to the Ministry of Social and Family Development, after which the girl was sent to hospital for a check-up. Neighbors said they saw Mr Tan a few times after his daughter was hospitalized. He reportedly told them he would take her back to Malaysia.

Police are investigating the father for alleged child abuse. The investigation has not yet reached a conclusion.

Notably, under Singapore’s Children and Young Persons Act, ill-treatment of a child aged 16 or under can result in a fine of up to US$5,900 and a maximum prison sentence of eight years.