A four-year-old girl in Binh Duong Province is suffering from trauma to the brain after being beaten by her mother and step-father.
According to neighbours, after leaving her ex-husband while still pregnant, Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang went to live with another man, Do Trong Minh. Trang gave birth to Do Thi Kim Ngan the next year, but the new couple did not apply for a marriage license or a birth certification for Ngan. Trang is a labourer and Minh is currently unemployed.
Apparently the abuse had been going on for some time, but with no evidence the neighbours were unable to do anything to help the girl until September 12. Several neighbours tried to come Ngan's aid after hearing that she was being badly beaten, but the step-father prevented them from entering the house. They waited outside until he opened the door. The girl was taken to Binh Duong General Hospital for her severe injuries. Binh An Ward police detained the mother and step-father pending the investigation.
Do Thi Kim Ngan
"Even when we would try to give her something small like a snack, we had to do it in secret. Otherwise, Ngan would not dare accept it for fear of being beaten by her father," said a neighbour.
Do Trong Minh and Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang at the police station.
Nguyen Minh Khoi, head of the Neurological Surgery and Spine Faculty at Binh Duong General Hospital, said Ngan was recovering. "She has subarachnoid hemorrhage, a kind of traumatic brain injury but it is not too serious," he said. However, Ngan is still unable to open her eyes because of severe bruising on her face. Khoi said, "Ngan is under six years old, so we'll focus on treating her before considering payment. Child abuse can also cause psychological trauma. As of now, we're unsure if the injuries will have lasting consequences."
Authorities of Di An Commune have donated VND3 million (USD142) for the girl's treatment, and the authorities of Binh An Ward gave VND1 million. After Ngan's story was publicised, a number of people have come to help. Donations total VND26.2 million so far, and are being handled by Binh Duong General Hospital.