Kowloon City housewife accused of child abuse with video evidence from domestic helper
A suspected child abuse case emerged in March this year involving a 38-year-old housewife, identified only as Z.A.L., accused of mistreating her 4-year-old biological daughter in Kowloon City.
An Indonesian domestic helper employed by the family, fearing being framed by the accused, secretly recorded audio-only clips featuring a woman speaking Mandarin and a child crying. The trial commenced this morning (Oct. 7) at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court.
Z.A.L., who pleaded not guilty to two counts of child abuse, resides in a 2,000-square-foot luxury duplex with her husband, two sons, and the victimized daughter. The domestic helper started working at the residence on Feb. 19, 2024. On March 23, the young girl was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital following an emergency triggered that morning.
According to the domestic helper's testimony in court, on the morning of the incident, she and Z.A.L. were together in the kitchen around 8:00 a.m. Shortly thereafter, Z.A.L. rushed upstairs following a call from her elder son. Moments later, the helper went upstairs to find the naked girl unconscious on a bed, with blood on her mouth and slightly wet, near a bathtub filled halfway with water. Z.A.L. subsequently called for an ambulance to take the girl to the hospital.
The domestic helper described Z.A.L. as having a close yet harsh relationship with her daughter, often seen scolding and hitting her. She recorded several videos, including one on March 17 showing the girl's forearm wrapped in white cloth and others on March 19 and 22, which captured loud Mandarin yelling and a child's cries.
The prosecution questioned the helper's motive for recording these videos. She explained that she feared being falsely accused by Z.A.L., who often blamed her for injuries inflicted on the child. Since the day of the incident, the helper has not returned to work for the family, despite previously having a good relationship with them and only complaining to the employment agency about the frequent abuse by Z.A.L. hit her daughter.
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