Ministry calls on parents to prioritise their children’s safety

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection is urging parents to always prioritise their children’s safety, this is after a 3-month-old baby was left sleeping in a parked car in Lautoka.

In a statement, the Ministry is deeply concerned about the incident and says it is a miracle that the child survived in extreme heat, thanks to the quick actions of a passerby and the police.

Minister Sashi Kiran says this incident raises serious concerns about awareness around parenting and child safety.

She says leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, even for a short time, is extremely dangerous and unacceptable.

Kiran noted that child neglect cases are rising as family networks and social support systems weaken.

Kiran further says that to help struggling parents, the Ministry is developing a Positive Parenting App to guide them through child care.

She has also called on faith groups and family elders to support young parents in developing better parenting skills.

The Minister says the public is urged to stay vigilant and report any cases of child neglect.

Under the Child Care and Protection Act 2024, every child has the right to be protected from harm.

The Ministry remains committed to strengthening child protection efforts and ensuring that all children in Fiji grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.

Meanwhile, the Lautoka Police are looking into the element of negligence following the incident.

Police say officers were alerted of the incident by a member of the public after seeing the baby sleeping alone in the car, which was parked a few metres away from a supermarket.

They say the child’s parents returned to their car as officers were trying to source details to establish the vehicle owner.

The parents were warned and released as the investigations are underway.

Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu described the incident as extremely troubling, warning parents and guardians to prioritise the welfare of their children at all times.

The Police Force acknowledges and commends the information shared by the concerned member of the public, allowing necessary action to be taken to protect the safety and well-being of the baby.