Disturbing footage of infants being violently mistreated has shocked the public, leading to an investigation into both abuse and potential financial fraud at the shelter.

On the morning of September 4th, local authorities, including the Department of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs, District 12 Police, and the People’s Procuracy, descended on the Hoa Hong Shelter located on To Ky Street to verify reports of abuse. Disturbing videos, showing a caregiver named Tuyen physically abusing infants, circulated widely, raising alarms among citizens and donors who regularly support the shelter.

“I couldn't hold back my tears when I saw the images of those tiny babies being mistreated,” said Ms. Thuy, a local resident from Go Vap District.

Thuy, who had recently visited the shelter to donate food and supplies, was among the many citizens expressing shock and anger. She wasn’t alone in her dismay.

Many other donors, like Ms. Q. Chi from Hoc Mon District, who regularly visited to bring necessities for the children, rushed to the shelter upon hearing the news.

“The children there were so sweet and lovable. I can't believe that behind those walls, they were being cruelly beaten,” said Chi, her voice cracking with emotion.

According to official reports and witness testimonies, Tuyen, the primary caregiver responsible, was seen in the video grabbing infants by one arm, violently flipping them onto mattresses, hitting their hands and feet, and even sitting on them. Some babies were beaten so brutally that they bled from the mouth.

Neighbors of the shelter, like Mr. Trieu Phong, expressed disbelief: “I had no idea this was happening. The teachers always seemed so gentle and kind.”

The Hoa Hong Shelter, which also functions as a hotel and is operated by Mrs. Giap Thi Song Huong, claims to care for nearly 100 children, including abandoned babies, pregnant women in need, and the elderly.

After the revelations, Mrs. Huong insisted that she was unaware of the abuse, stating that the actions of the caregivers were spontaneous and uncontrollable.

Local authorities are continuing to investigate the shelter, where they have confirmed the presence of 86 children, some of whom were abandoned by their parents, while others were entrusted to the shelter by local workers. The shelter’s license has now been revoked, and officials have begun relocating the children to the Tam Binh Child Protection Center in Thu Duc City to ensure their safety.

In addition to the allegations of abuse, the police are also investigating potential fraud at the shelter, suspecting that funds donated for charitable purposes may have been misused. The authorities have detained Mrs. Huong and several caregivers, including Nguyen Thi Ngoc Cam, who are accused of participating in the abuse.

The shelter, licensed to care for up to 39 children, had far exceeded its capacity, with 85 children under its care at the time of the investigation. District 12 authorities, in cooperation with other city departments, are working to identify the children's parents and determine their future care arrangements.

Local authorities have transferred all 85 children from Hoa Hong Shelter to a public social welfare facility to ensure their safety and proper care. Investigations will continue to determine the children’s legal guardians and further steps.

The case continues to unfold, as law enforcement gathers further evidence of both child abuse and potential financial misconduct. As the children are moved to a safer environment, the authorities vow to ensure that justice will be served and that similar tragedies do not happen again.

Quynh Trang – Dam De