KKH says baby Trevor had no noticeable injuries prior to death, MSF says no child protection or social services referrals

Baby Trevor Neo, who died after being abused by his parents, was not referred to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)’s Protective Service or any social service agency before his death.

Trevor was admitted on Jan. 18, 2024, when his father brought him to the hospital for reduced milk intake, vomiting, and concerns about his mother shaking him, said Associate Professor Eileen Lew, chairman of the medical board at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH).

After thorough evaluations, no injuries were found on Trevor, and his parents agreed to follow care plans before he was discharged on Jan. 23, 2024.

Following that, the case was eventually closed after no outstanding concerns were found, Lew said in a statement to Mothership.

In a separate statement, MSF told Mothership they had appointed an independent review panel to identify lessons and recommend further improvements to the child protection ecosystem.

Jail sentences

Trevor's mother, Chloe Gan Ci Xuan, 23, was sentenced to 15 years and 3 months in jail, while his father Neo Jia Ming, 27, was sentenced to 16 years in jail.

The couple admitted to smothering and shaking their son to stop him from crying for almost the entirety of his life.

This eventually led to baby Trevor's death on Sep. 2, 2024, after Gan suffocated him again using her hands and flipped him in his cot.

Neo did not do anything to stop this ill-treatment.

Visits to hospital

Trevor was first brought to KKH in January 2024 after he stopped drinking milk after Gan shook him.

Lew said that during the stay, the hospital conducted thorough evaluations including a brain scan, eye examination and X-rays.

"Trevor was found to be normal and there were no injuries. He was conscious, alert, and there was no reported loss of consciousness," she said.

Trevor remained in the hospital while care plans were being drawn up, and his parents agreed to follow the care plans before he was discharged on Jan. 23, 2024, she added.

Following his discharge, Lew said the hospital continued to follow up on his case, including facilitating access to services for parenting and child development support.

"With no outstanding concerns, the case was eventually closed," she said.

Trevor was brought to KKH by his parents at a second visit on Apr. 2, 2024 for redness under the tongue.

He was discharged that same day after the doctor found Trevor to be well, with no tear or bleeding under the tongue.

"The parents mentioned that Trevor liked to suck on his hands and fingers. His parents sought medical attention promptly, was cooperative, and provided accounts consistent with the clinical findings," Lew said.

Day of death

On Sep. 2, 2024, Trevor was brought to the hospital unresponsive and was pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts, Lew stated.

"When we encounter children suspected of being abused, they will be carefully evaluated by paediatricians and medical social workers, who may work with other specialists based on the child’s situation and injuries," she said.

Lew said that the assessments and information available at that time will guide the care and interventions provided to the child.

Cases where clinical, social and behavioural indicators raise a reasonable concern of harm are referred to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) via the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline.

For those that do not raise child safety concerns, care arrangements and referrals to relevant community and social agencies may be made before discharge, Lew shared.

She added that intervention plans are tailored to each child’s care needs to enable "coordinated care and follow-up support".

"The tragic loss of Trevor saddens all of us at KKH. It has fortified our resolve to further strengthen the care and support provided to the families. We remain committed to the safety and well-being of every child in our care."

Independent review panel

While Trevor’s death occurred before MSF announced in November 2025 that all child deaths known to social services would be independently reviewed, an independent review panel was appointed for his case.

"The review highlighted the need for professionals to better recognise and respond to concerns involving infants and young children, and to coordinate support when families come into contact with different services," MSF said.

These lessons have been shared across the social, healthcare and early childhood sectors, the ministry added.

MSF also noted that the child protection system has also been strengthened following the review of Megan Khung’s case in 2025.

"MSF, our Child Protection Case Management agencies and our partners in the child protection ecosystem are committed to strengthening safeguards, professional practice and systems as an ongoing endeavour."

Trevor's death a tragedy: MSF

MSF also shared that Trevor's parents attended a marriage preparation programme from May to June 2023 before he was born and offered parenting-related resources.

"Trevor’s death was a tragedy. The primary responsibility for his abuse and death lies with his parents, who pleaded guilty and have been sentenced by the Court for their offences," MSF said.

The ministry explained that child protection professionals must often make "difficult assessments based on incomplete and evolving information, including information provided by those caring for the child".

"While no child protection system can uncover every concealment or misrepresentation, or detect every case in time, this does not diminish our collective responsibility to learn from serious cases and continually strengthen how concerns are identified, shared and followed up," it said.