It was just another morning for Singapore mummy Doreen Chew. She and her girl had just finished breakfast, and they were on their way to buy some books.
Doreen then heard a huge commotion. She saw a young boy around 1o years old, lying flat on the ground, in obvious pain.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, Doreen describes what happened after that:
“He [the boy] was with his 2 elderly relatives and a younger girl. He called for help but though many people were around, everyone just ignored.
“I ran over to the boy only to know that a middle aged tall man had kicked this boy’s kidney from behind for no reason. As this boy’s hands were full with shopping bag, he couldn’t break his fall. His left kidney bruised and ankle bleeding. I can only see that man’s fleeting back.
“His elderly relatives keep asking people to ‘tolong’ and catch that culprit but to no avail. I don’t know what got on to me, I just sprinted off and managed to catch up to that idiot at the traffic light junction. He had wanted to run away as the red man was on but I caught up to him in the middle of the junction. (like movie sia)
“He was very defensive and aggressive. He had initially refused to go back to face the victim but after my constant edging he had no choice but followed me back. He told me he has ‘mental cert’ which i replied.. ‘me too’ .
“Halfway thru he punched me from behind which I almost fell, I turned and told him, “one time I give you face ok… 2nd time, I will hit you back. you don’t try your luck… (my girl said i look real powerful then. lol)
“He dare not try to hit me again and instead choose to mindless ranting along the way. I called police. The police came within 5mins! Cool! Cause he is getting more aggressive already.
“It’s then I knew, this crazy man had hit another young girl earlier and the grandma also no choice as no one helped her. HA! I indirectly helped two poor kiddos ! Super cool!!”
Culprit arrested
Following this fearless mum’s intervention, the 29-year-old man was reportedly arrested by police under the Mental Health Act, along Yishun Ring Road.
Channel News Asia reports exactly what happened.
The mother of the boy, Ms Azlinda Rosman said her kids and mother-in-law had been walking along the road in order to catch a cab, when the incident happened.
The man, who was reportedly walking in the opposite direction, had without any provocation kicked her son violently on his side. The young boy fell and hurt his ankle.
According to an eyewitness, the man had also slapped a younger child.
Ms. Azlinda is quoted as saying: “I didn’t manage to see/meet/thank this kind soul [who chased the man]. Whoever you are, may God bless you and your family.”
Well now we know who she is, and we are in absolute awe of just how brave Ms Chew was! In her Facebook post, she mentions:
“My two kids are so generous with their praises and proud that their mom is a brave woman. I was so deflated these two days and this incident gave me a real booster!!! Nothing beats knowing my kids is as proud of me as I am proud of them.”
We couldn’t agree more with them! We think Ms Chew personifies the perfectly powerful role model all kids need in their mothers: brave, fearless and a real-life super hero!
Here’s Ms Chew’s full post:
Sources: Channel NewsAsia, Facebook