Trevor Neo, an eight-month-old infant who died from abuse inflicted by his parents, was not referred to the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) Protective Service or other social service agencies prior to his death, according to the ministry. Trevor had previously been admitted to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH) in January 2024 for symptoms including vomiting and reduced milk intake, as well as concerns that his mother had shaken him.
Following his discharge from the hospital on January 23, 2024, Trevor’s parents agreed to adhere to a care plan devised by KKH. The hospital maintained follow-up with the family, providing access to parenting and child development support. According to Eileen Lew, chairman of KKH’s medical board, the case was closed after no outstanding concerns remained, though she did not disclose specifics about the care plan or the duration of the follow-up.
Trevor’s parents, Neo Jia Ming, 27, and Chloe Gan Ci Xuan, 23, were sentenced on October 21, 2026, to 16 years and 15 years and three months in prison, respectively. The infant suffered repeated physical abuse during his short life, including being hit, shaken, and having his mouth and nose covered by his parents. He ultimately died in September 2024 after his mother smothered him, struck him in the face, and placed him face down on a mattress to silence his cries.
MSF has established an independent review panel to examine the circumstances surrounding Trevor’s case. The ministry noted the panel’s findings emphasized the importance of improved recognition and response to abuse concerns involving infants and young children, as well as better coordination across agencies when families interact with multiple services. These findings have been shared within the social, healthcare, and early childhood sectors.
The panel was formed prior to the ministry’s announcement in November 2025 that all child deaths known to social services would undergo independent review—a policy introduced following the death of Megan Khung, a four-year-old girl who also died from abuse. In Megan’s case, multiple systemic failures were identified, including unlogged calls and procedural lapses by protective officers and police.
Trevor’s interactions with healthcare included two occasions at KKH. During his January admission, comprehensive evaluations showed no injuries or signs of loss of consciousness. A follow-up visit occurred around April 2, 2024, after Trevor sustained a bleeding injury under his tongue caused by his father inserting a hand into his mouth. The attending doctor reported no visible tears or ongoing bleeding, and the child was discharged the same day. At that time, Trevor’s parents described his behavior as including frequent hand-sucking and were cooperative with medical staff.
On September 2, 2024, Trevor was brought to the hospital unresponsive and later died despite resuscitation efforts. Police confirmed no prior reports regarding Trevor were received before this incident. Following the child’s death, hospital staff filed a police report, leading to the parents’ arrests.
KKH representatives explained that suspected child abuse cases are thoroughly evaluated by pediatricians and medical social workers in conjunction with relevant specialists. After the review of Megan Khung’s case, procedures were updated to ensure referrals to MSF Protective Service occur promptly when concerns arise. Since May 1, only designated agencies with specialized expertise—including family service centres, child protection specialist centres, and children’s homes—manage child abuse cases under the National Child Protection system.