Chloe Gan Ci Xuan, 23, was sentenced to 15 years and three months’ jail on Wednesday (21 October), while her husband, Neo Jia Ming, 27, received 16 years over the fatal abuse of their eight-month-old son, Trevor Neo Yu Hin.
The couple had pleaded guilty on 12 October. Gan admitted three charges: causing her child’s death, ill-treating him and permitting Neo’s ill-treatment.
Neo admitted four charges: allowing Trevor’s death, ill-treating him, permitting Gan’s ill-treatment and domestic abuse of his wife.
Judge Addressed Father’s Responsibility
Justice Hoo Sheau Peng said the couple had help from relatives and a nanny, despite arguments about their youth and lack of parenting experience.
She also addressed Neo’s argument that he bore much less responsibility because Gan committed the fatal acts. Allowing a child’s death does not automatically make an offender far less culpable than the person who causes it, she said.
Neo had initiated both the shaking and smothering of Trevor, the judge noted.
Neither Parent Stopped The Other’s Abuse
The court had heard that the parents repeatedly shook or smothered Trevor to stop him crying. The abuse continued for about seven months, with neither intervening when the other hurt him.
On 1 September 2024, Gan repeatedly smothered Trevor before leaving him face down. Neo was present but did not protect him.
Trevor was pronounced dead at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital at about 12:20am on 2 September 2024. An autopsy could not establish a definitive cause of death.
