#trending: Netizens accuse party-goers of abusing crying toddler by smearing birthday cake on her face

SINGAPORE — A video of a distressed toddler having cake smeared on her face by adults during a birthday party has sparked an outcry online, with some people alleging that the incident is a case of bullying and child abuse.

As the video begins, the toddler, who was marking her first birthday, can be seen crying with her face covered with cake frosting.

A man then rubs more cream onto the girl's face. A girl who appears to be three or four years old tries to stop the man by tapping his arm and reaches over to help wipe some cream off the girl's face. 

Another man then squashes the entire cake onto the toddler’s face while she cries incessantly.

The adults watching the incident burst into laughter, with some even filming the scene on their phones.

The video was posted on Sunday (March 12) on Singapore Instagram account “complaint.singapore” and quickly sparked outrage over the apparent mistreatment of the child.

The video, which has been removed, is said to have been filmed in Singapore but the location is not stated.

It also stirred a discussion online over parenting.

Some online users called for the video to be investigated by the authorities.

One comment went: “Please report the parents to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). It is considered abuse already. These people don’t deserve to have kids.”

Another online user agreed: “Someone who knows these people, call MSF, please. As a preschool educator and a mother of three, I strongly condemn actions like this.”

One remark went: “How is this funny to them? Poor child is crying and they can still smear the cake on the child’s face.”

Another wrote: “See the other kid trying to stop the guy from smearing the cake. Even a young kid knows it’s inappropriate. Everything has limits.” 

Some online users, however, came to the defence of the adults in the video. One acknowledged that the incident could be a traumatic experience for the child but felt that no parent is perfect.

“Do not be quick to judge on the parent’s way of parenting… At least, they are there on their kid’s birthday. Some parents I know won't even spend time with their kids.”

It is not clear if the parents of the toddler were present or captured in the video.

On Wednesday (March 15), the girl’s parents told TODAY that the police visited the family on Tuesday (March 14) and confirmed that she did not suffer any injuries or ill treatment. TODAY has reached out to the police for comments. 

MSF confirmed on Thursday (March 16) that they have visited the family and that the child is well.