Hong Kong baby Danny’s future remains unclear despite birth registration progress
Despite DNA confirmation, child remains under court-ordered care as officials review parents’ capability, history and living conditions
Baby Danny’s future remains uncertain despite having almost completed his birth registration in Hong Kong, as welfare authorities still have to assess the capability of his parents, who were earlier arrested for suspected child neglect and have a troubled parental history.
Danny’s welfare sparked public concern over the past week after Tsang Wai-bong and Kwan Pui-sin, who initially declined a DNA test for their home-born son’s birth registration on religious and privacy grounds. They only made a U-turn after their arrest on Tuesday.
The Immigration Department said on Friday night that it had obtained the DNA report and other relevant evidence, confirming that Danny was born in Hong Kong. It had contacted the parents to complete the birth registration procedures.
The parents obtained Danny’s birth certificate from the department’s headquarters on Saturday after meeting government social workers to discuss guardianship arrangements for their two-month-old son, who has been placed in a children’s shelter under a court order.
Tsang said the decision on whether the parents could regain custody would depend on a further meeting with social workers, followed by a home visit and a series of professional assessments, including evaluations of their background and financial situation.
The Social Welfare Department said on Friday that its officers had met the parents and that authorities would organise multidisciplinary assessment meetings, submit court reports, and implement a welfare plan for Danny, including arranging for “suitable individuals” to ensure the boy was “properly taken care of in a safe environment”.