A one-and-a-half-month-old baby boy, who does not possess a birth certificate and was reportedly delivered via homebirth, has been temporarily moved to a sheltering facility following a court order.

The Social Welfare Department on Wednesday said the baby is under professional care, adding that it has applied for a child protection order from the court following the arrest of a couple said to be his parents.

Police, meanwhile said they have obtained the DNA sample of the boy, as well as samples from the couple, for verification.

Officers said the test results are not out yet.

The couple was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of child neglect after failing to provide proof that they had taken the infant for medical checks.

They were granted bail late on Wednesday, and must report to police in early July.

They previously refused DNA testing to prove their relationship with the baby and failed to register a birth within 42 days set out in the law.

Following the couple’s arrest, the baby underwent checks at the hospital and medical workers found no apparent injuries on him.

Senior social work officer Stephanie Lee said the department will submit a report to the court to decide the next steps after meeting with the couple.

“We will collect the information and then make the assessment and then also involve all other concerned parties. The time [taken for the report submission] will be subject to the progress of this assessment or the information gathered,” she said.

When asked if the department will hand the baby back to the couple if it is found they are his biological parents, she stressed that the department will prioritise the baby's well-being.

She added that if the couple is proven unfit to care for the child, the department may seek a guardianship order.

The couple said they have another child that was placed in foster care in Sweden a number of years ago.

The Immigration Department said it has reached out to the Swedish authorities to seek more information, including her identity there and foster care arrangements.

The department added that it will take follow-up actions based on their response.
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Last updated: 2026-06-03 HKT 22:40



Edited by Aaron Tam