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Chin Swee Road toddler’s death: AGC looking into potential breaches of gag order

SINGAPORE — The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said on Wednesday (Sept 25) that it is looking into potential breaches of a court-imposed gag order, regarding a couple who were charged for murdering their toddler, whose remains were found in a Chin Swee Road flat.

Flowers, toys and sweets left outside the Chin Swee Road rental flat where the remains of a toddler were found two weeks ago. Photos have surfaced on Facebook purportedly showing the couple accused of killing their child in the flat.

Flowers, toys and sweets left outside the Chin Swee Road rental flat where the remains of a toddler were found two weeks ago. Photos have surfaced on Facebook purportedly showing the couple accused of killing their child in the flat.

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SINGAPORE — The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said on Wednesday (Sept 25) that it is looking into potential breaches of a court-imposed gag order, regarding a couple who were charged for murdering their toddler, whose remains were found in a Chin Swee Road flat. 

This comes a day after a Facebook post was published, showing what are purportedly photographs of the couple as well as their family.

These were put up on a public Facebook group on Tuesday morning and the post has since been shared more than 4,500 times. 

The 31-year-old man and the 30-year-old woman cannot be named due to a gag order imposed by the courts, in order to protect the identity of the victim and the couple’s other children. Neighbours earlier told TODAY that the couple has at least three other children. 

No one is allowed to publish any details — including names and photographs — that could lead to the couple or the girl being identified.

The couple are accused of killing their daughter at Block 52 Chin Swee Road in March 2014, but the girl’s remains were discovered only earlier this month. 

They have both been in remand since June last year for unrelated offences.

The AGC said on Wednesday that it takes “a serious view of any act that may constitute contempt or which breach the gag order”, and will “not hesitate to take appropriate action to protect the administration of justice”.

It noted that there has been “significant public interest” in the case but reminded members of the public and the media that criminal proceedings have begun.

The AGC added: “Statements made by members of the public and media may be in contempt of court, where these statements prejudice, interfere with, or pose a real risk of prejudice to or interference with the course of any pending court proceedings. 

“All parties are therefore advised to refrain from speculating or making any public comments on matters that may pose a real risk of prejudice to or interference with the ongoing criminal proceedings.” 

When gag orders are imposed, the media and members of the public cannot publish any information that could lead to the identification of the persons involved.

Gag orders are commonly issued to protect vulnerable persons, victims of sexual crimes or minors. Anyone who breaches one can be jailed up to a year.

On Tuesday, the father was placed under psychiatric observation for three weeks in Changi Prison’s Complex Medical Centre. 

The mother will appear in court again on Oct 1. She is serving a jail sentence of five years and two months for drug and theft charges.

If convicted of murder, the couple face the death penalty.

Related topics

Chin Swee Road murder court crime Facebook post breach gag order

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