Authorities in Long An Province have arrested and detained Tran Thi Lien, a 58-year-old woman from Phuoc Loi Commune, for allegedly abusing a child under her care. She is being investigated for mistreatment following a complaint filed by the child’s mother.

On February 20, the Ben Luc District Police Department issued an emergency arrest for Lien after receiving a formal complaint from P.T.K.H, a 33-year-old resident of An Loi Hamlet, An Binh A Commune, Hong Ngu City, Dong Thap Province. She accused Lien of physically abusing her 3-year-old daughter, P.V.

According to the investigation, since early 2024, Lien had been offering childcare services for children as young as six months old at her home in Hamlet 5, Phuoc Loi Commune, operating from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

Her daycare service was unofficial and had not received authorization from local authorities.

The mother of P.V would leave her daughter in Lien’s care for several days at a time, visiting only occasionally.

Four other children, aged 2 to 3 years old, were also being cared for at Lien’s home.

At approximately 6:30 a.m. on February 19, Lien received a complaint from another child’s mother, stating that P.V had bitten her child, leaving a bleeding wound on their back. Shortly after, when Lien took P.V inside to play, the girl bit her hand.

Lien then carried P.V to a mattress inside a room. At around 6:47 a.m., surveillance footage captured Lien violently pulling the girl’s hair, forcing her head down, and repeatedly slapping her hands and face. When P.V stood up, Lien grabbed her by the arms and legs, pulling her down again.

At 7:00 a.m. the same day, another child, N.G., also 3 years old, was punished for spitting out rice while eating. Lien was seen hitting the child, pulling their hair, and pushing their head down to the ground.

After these violent actions, Lien ignored the children and continued with her chores, occasionally shouting at them.

Upon being informed of the abuse, authorities assisted the families in taking the children to a hospital for medical examinations.

Tuan Kiet