Baby Trevor’s tragic case shows need for greater vigilance over the most vulnerable of victims

Baby Trevor was crying and his parents did not know how to handle him. They hit, shook and smothered him, till the infant never cried again.

The tragic death of eight-month-old Trevor Neo gripped Singapore as his parents, Neo Jia Ming, 27, and Chloe Gan Ci Xuan, 23, were sentenced on Oct 21 by the High Court for their abusive acts.

Any kind of child abuse leaves a sick feeling in our guts. But Trevor’s case bears highlighting for a reason: infants may be especially vulnerable to abuse.

Unlike older children who can voice their pain, infants can’t tell us where it hurts. And even then, it can be difficult to distinguish between typical infant distress and cries for help.

As Kevin See, director of Integrated Family Service at social service agency Montfort Care, told me, babies are often at home and are rarely seen by others in the community. Unlike older children, they can’t tell a teacher about their discomfort. Addressing these blind spots is vital.

Increasing cases of abuse

While the exact number of fatal infant abuse cases in Singapore is not known, the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) Domestic Violence Trends Report 2025 showed that new high-risk child abuse cases had increased by 14.5%, from 2,011 in 2023 to 2,303 in 2024. Those aged six and below made up 35% of new high-risk cases in 2024.

At least two other fatal infant abuse cases have been reported in the media in recent years: two-month-old Zabelle Peh and nine-month-old Izz Fayyaz Zayani Ahmad.

Zabelle had been abused since she was just two weeks old. She died in January 2023 from head injuries after her mother forcefully dropped her into a cot.

Izz died in November 2019 after his mother’s boyfriend pushed his head against the floorboard of his van. He died from bleeding in the brain as a result of traumatic injury.

Of 101 children aged three and below who were hospitalised for maltreatment at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) between January 2018 and June 2019, the majority were less than a year old, according to a 2024 study published in the Singapore Medical Journal.

Translating these numbers into protection requires answering an uncomfortable question. Why does infant abuse slip past us?

Who could have noticed?

An infant’s world is small, usually bounded by a handful of caregivers. This vulnerability means the infant’s safety hinges on those who cross its path. Strengthening vigilance at an infant’s few touchpoints is critical.

According to MSF, Trevor was not referred to its Protective Service or any social service agency over concerns about abuse before his death.

The typical focus on physical signs of abuse in a child can sometimes be too narrow, causing us to lose sight of other important signals of trouble brewing. KKH has said it found no injuries on Trevor’s first visit, after evaluations that included a brain scan, an eye examination and X-rays. During Trevor’s second visit, the doctor who examined him found he was well, with no tears or bleeding under the tongue, and discharged him.

An independent review panel convened for Trevor’s case “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”, said an MSF spokesperson.

Medical and vaccination appointments are not foolproof avenues for detecting abuse. Abusers also cover their tracks. At one point, Neo had told Gan not to hit Trevor for a period to avoid leaving bruises, apparently because they were taking him to a doctor.

Neo and Gan had also agreed to follow a care plan drawn up by the hospital during their first visit. KKH said it eventually closed the case when there were “no outstanding concerns”.

Court documents state that Gan’s mother noticed the bruises on Trevor’s body and warned Gan not to hit the baby any more. Despite the warning, Gan continued to hit the infant.

Neo’s family described the acts as at odds with the hard-working young father and his soft-spoken wife they thought they knew. They said they never saw the abuse nor heard Trevor cry.

It may be easy to judge those related to the case with the information we know now, but it is worth noting that it is uncommon for family members to report child abuse to the authorities.

Family members of abused children who directly reported the matter to the MSF’s Protective Service comprised less than 1.5% of the cases it investigated, according to MSF data provided in January 2023.

Some may witness ill-treatment but may not realise that it constitutes abuse, especially in families where aggressive discipline is typically accepted.

Then there are those who are aware of the abuse, but do not know how to stop it.

Montfort Care’s See said family members frequently believe that a verbal warning to the abuser is sufficient to resolve the issue, but this may not be the case.

And it is even harder for family members to report their loved ones to the authorities, as they may fear it might affect their relationship.

Tey Li Li, honorary secretary of the Society Against Family Violence (SAFV), said relatives may ask themselves: “What if I’m wrong?

“Then I might get my loved one into trouble; I might hurt their career.”

Going beyond visible risk

When there seems to be no physical evidence, some may find it hard to sound the alarm.

But we need not wait for bruises to appear to take action. Experts said there are crucial risk factors to look out for beyond visible injuries.

Some signs can be gleaned from observing the child’s parents, such as their ability to cope with stress.

Alarm bells should also ring if the couple’s relationship is marked by violence.

Neo had assaulted Gan multiple times. Lawyers for Zabelle’s father Peh Wei Jian, 34, had said that his wife, Sim Liang Xiu, 31, was abusive towards him.

Another area to look out for is the parents’ mental state. In Zabelle’s case, her mother Sim was assessed to be suffering from post-natal depression at the time.

The proverbial village that raises a child has to step up. Family members, caregivers and professionals alike need to notice issues not just on the baby’s body, but also in the parents’ lives and relationships.

Supporting a vulnerable child is not meddling, said Joy Lim, director and head of Sunbeam Place at Children’s Society. People around the family can start with practical support like sharing a warm meal or offering to watch over the infant.

If there are concerns, the first port of call is the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline, MSF’s 24-hour helpline to report and seek help for family violence.

A reasonable suspicion is enough to warrant a call. There does not have to be evidence of harm before one seeks professional guidance.

Think of it like seeking help for the family, not punishing the abuser, said SAFV’s president Daniel Lopez.

Baby Trevor had cried for help, but no one heard him. Other vulnerable victims like him need our collective courage to speak up to prevent more from going silent.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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