X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Suspected kidnapping at MapleBear turns out to be huge miscommunication

5 min read
Suspected kidnapping at MapleBear turns out to be huge miscommunicationSuspected kidnapping at MapleBear turns out to be huge miscommunication

The case involves an elderly man and his grandchild in Maple Bear childcare centre Havelock Road.

The recent viral safety in childcare centre case involving an elderly man suspected of kidnapping his own granddaughter has thankfully turned out to be a misunderstanding. 

It all started when a post on Tiong Bahru Village, a community Facebook page, posted the story and requested the public to help identify the man. The page’s administrator suspected that the man could be a potential kidnapper.

This speculation went viral and caught the attention of Singaporeans. However, it turned out to be a huge misunderstanding. 

A huge miscommunication and misunderstanding

What really happened was that elderly man visited the MapleBear childcare centre along Havelock Road to pick up his grandchild. The staff at the centre noted that his English was poor, and misunderstood the name of the grandchild.

They brought out a little girl, who did not recognise the elderly man and started crying. However, the man left the childcare centre immediately after and he did not pick up the girl.

On the same day, the police investigated the case and found that there was no malicious intent. The old man was genuinely there to pick up his grandchild, but it turns out that the family maid already picked up the child earlier in the day.

All families related to the case were notified about the case and it was deemed to be a misunderstanding.

safety in childcare centre

The letter from Patricia Koh, MapleBear Chief Executive | Source: MapleBear Facebook

The aftermath

Patricia Koh, Chief Executive of MapleBear emphasised that its childcare centres pledged to create a safe, secure and stimulating environment for all children under its care.

The centre has strict standard operating procedures (SOP) involving dismissal times for children, and apologised for the public worry the incident caused. MapleBear has urged the public to contact them should they have any questions or feedback.

Despite the false alarm, the incident brought light to a potential threat. Parents are warned to be more vigilant with their children and to be sure that their children are properly educated in kidnapping. 

How to protect your children from kidnapping?

safety in childcare centre

While Singapore is safe, it’s best to teach your child to be wary of strangers | Source: File photo

While the Facebook page decided to name and shame the old man before any proof, the dangers of having your child picked up by a stranger is very real.

Most, if not all childcare centres and preschools approved by the Early Childhood Development Agency have existing SOP in place to ensure the safety of the children in your care. However, it doesn’t hurt to take extra care and protect your children from potential kidnappers, whether at childcare centres or in public:

1. Yell “No!”

Tell your child there’s nothing if they scream “No” or cry when they don’t recognise the person trying to pick them up from the centre. Tell them that in this scenarios, it’s ok to draw attention to themselves and run towards the childcare centre staff if its really a stranger coming to pick them up.

2. Memorise phone numbers

safety in childcare centre

Image source: iStock

Try to get your child to memorise both you and your husband’s names, phone number, and the house address by heart just in case anything might go wrong and they might need to tell authorities information like this. 

3. Who to approach in an emergency

We always tell our children not to talk to strangers, but you should also let them know who they can can turn to in an emergency when you’re not around – the police, or other families with children, or their teachers in school.

4. Don’t follow someone or enter a car they don’t recognise

Even when the stranger looks like a completely nice person who genuinely is asking him or her for help, your child should know that adults should seek help from other adults, and immediately run to a trusted person if you aren’t around.

5. Go to a specific area if lost

When you travel to somewhere new, tell your child where to meet in case you get separated. They should stay there until you come to pick them up. Landmarks are a great way to help children memorise a gathering spot. Ensure the spot you have chosen is one that is close to a security guard or is well lit with CCTVs monitoring the area. 

6. Let you know if someone approaches them

Your children doesn’t need to worry if someone threatens them to stay silent. They should know that no harm will come to them if they tell you the truth about an incident. They can and should be honest, and be ready to tell you anything.

7. Don’t tell anyone where they are

This one is especially for older children entrusted with smartphones and other devices. Don’t post their location on social media, and don’t post their mobile numbers either.

Source: Asia One

Read also: Woman allegedly tried to kidnap K1 boy at Suntec City Toys ‘R’ Us

Partner Stories
How To Baby Proof Your House in 4 Easy Steps
How To Baby Proof Your House in 4 Easy Steps
Is Your Baby Wash Safe for Your Precious Little One? Is Bath Time Too Stressful? Here Are Some Handy Tips!
Is Your Baby Wash Safe for Your Precious Little One? Is Bath Time Too Stressful? Here Are Some Handy Tips!
Run a Company or Raise a Child? Why Singapore Makes It Very Possible to Do Both
Run a Company or Raise a Child? Why Singapore Makes It Very Possible to Do Both
Managing Screen Time For Kids During and After Circuit Breaker
Managing Screen Time For Kids During and After Circuit Breaker

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Nicholas Yong

  • Home
  • /
  • Child Safety
  • /
  • Suspected kidnapping at MapleBear turns out to be huge miscommunication
Share:
  • Childcare Centre in Singapore mistakes stranger as child's mother

    Childcare Centre in Singapore mistakes stranger as child's mother

  • HFMD in childcare centres and kindergartens: Updated on 10 Aug 2018

    HFMD in childcare centres and kindergartens: Updated on 10 Aug 2018

  • 5 Ways A Narcissistic Parent Can Negatively Affect A Child's Personality

    5 Ways A Narcissistic Parent Can Negatively Affect A Child's Personality

  • Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

    Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

app info
get app banner
  • Childcare Centre in Singapore mistakes stranger as child's mother

    Childcare Centre in Singapore mistakes stranger as child's mother

  • HFMD in childcare centres and kindergartens: Updated on 10 Aug 2018

    HFMD in childcare centres and kindergartens: Updated on 10 Aug 2018

  • 5 Ways A Narcissistic Parent Can Negatively Affect A Child's Personality

    5 Ways A Narcissistic Parent Can Negatively Affect A Child's Personality

  • Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

    Singaporean Sugar Baby Spills The Beans On What Life Is Like With A Sugar Daddy

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.