Police on Thursday said DNA testing has confirmed that a couple who were arrested on charges of child neglect are indeed the biological parents of a 1.5-month-old baby boy, who was reportedly delivered via homebirth and has no birth certificate.

The parents initially refused the test and were arrested for suspected child neglect after the case went viral online.

Meanwhile, a children's rights advocate on Thursday said authorities need to carefully decide when would be the right time to return the baby boy to his parents, after he was temporarily moved to a shelter.

Priscilla Lui, former head of the Hong Kong Committee on Children's Rights, said professionals would keep following the case and assess if the baby was getting proper care if he was sent back to his parents.

"When the child goes back, is he safe? Does the family have the ability to care for him? This shouldn't be a rushed decision. And when he does go back, there will be a period of follow-up by professionals – social workers, and medical staff if needed – who will visit him," she said.

Lawmaker Peter Koon, who heads Legco's social welfare panel, said authorities have to make sure the child is safe and well looked after, especially with so many people watching the case closely.

"There's been a lot of public discussion about this case, and the overwhelming view is that we must act in the best interest of the baby," he said.

"So before the child is returned to full parental care, a very thorough assessment should be done to make sure there won't be any problems because if problems arise after the child is returned, that would be very difficult to handle."




Edited by Tony Sabine