The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) revealed that the family of the two-year-old Chin Swee Road toddler who died has had interactions with various government agencies and community organisations over the years.

This revelation comes after members of the public have expressed their shock and concern that a young child in Singapore in this day and age could have gone missing and unaccounted for, only to be discovered dead five years later, under morbid circumstances.

The ministry also disclosed that the interactions the family of the deceased toddler has had with government agencies and community organisations are now part of police investigations.

“The nature of these interactions with the family is relevant to ongoing criminal investigations,” MSF said.

“Criminal proceedings have also commenced.”

Strengthen networks

MSF also said it is looking at ways to further strengthen its network of agencies and community organisations in the aftermath of the discovery of the toddler's death.

MSF said: “In the meantime, we are reviewing how the network of agencies and community organisations can be further strengthened.”

A ministry spokesperson also said that authorities will refer to the MSF those children that they discover “without alternative caregivers” or those with safety concerns.

“MSF works closely with community partners to ensure stable alternative care arrangements for these children,” the spokesperson said.

Background

The parents of the two-and-a-half-year-old toddler were charged with murder on Sep. 17.

A court-imposed gag order has prevented them from being named to protect the identity of the victim and the victim's siblings.

The 31-year-old man and 30-year-old woman are believed to have killed their daughter in March 2014.

They face the death penalty if convicted.

The couple are both Singaporeans.

The couple has at least three other children.