Man, 38, arrested for allegedly slapping boy, 6, in Westgate

A 38-year-old man was arrested for allegedly slapping a six-year-old boy at an indoor playground in Westgate shopping mall on Dec. 22, 2024.

The incident

The boy's father, 35-year-old Cai (transliteration), told Shin Min Daily News that his wife had taken their son to the playground with a friend that day.

Cai's wife was chatting with her friend and didn't notice her son had a dispute with a girl.

Not aware of the entire incident, Cai's wife apologised to the girl's father after the latter approached her and launched into a tirade.

She subsequently realised that her son was crying and had a red mark on his face.

A witness approached Cai's wife and told her that her son had been slapped in the face.

According to the witness' account, Cai's son kicked the girl after the latter apparently knocked down a castle that his son was building.

After hearing from the witness, Cai's wife went to confront the girl's father, who apparently denied slapping their son.

Cai's wife then decided to call the police and sent their son to the hospital for a check up.

Although the doctor didn't find any issues with his son, Cai noticed his son had become more reserved and had been having nightmares ever since the incident.

"He's slowly recovering, and we hope he can quickly forget this incident," Cai said.

Cai felt that it's "common" that kids fight with each other. "The girl's father should talk to the parent if he's not happy, rather than hitting the child," he added.

"He may not think he used much force, but he's much bigger-sized than a child," Cai continued. "Even when I discipline my kid, I will usually hit his limbs and will never hit him on the face."

Man arrested

In response to Mothership's queries, the police confirmed that a six-year-old boy was conveyed conscious to the hospital after he was allegedly slapped by a 38-year-old man at Westgate.

The man was subsequently arrested for voluntarily causing hurt with enhanced penalties for offences against a person below 14 years of age.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Top image via Shin Min Daily News