Parents arrested in Hong Kong after viral video shows 10-year-old carrying bags of beer

The 10-year-old girl was spotted carrying two bags filled with beer cans in a video circulating on social media. — AsiaOne pic

First Published: Friday, 09 Oct 2026 11:55 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 9 — The parents of a 10-year-old girl were reportedly arrested after a video showing her carrying two heavy bags of beer went viral on social media. 

The incident allegedly took place on Tuesday (October 6) evening.

A 30-second clip shows a young girl in a school uniform carrying a backpack and two plastic bags filled with beer cans. 

At one point, a beer can falls out of a side pocket of her backpack, prompting a woman to pick it up and place it back into one of the bags.

A man dressed in black is later seen carrying a separate bag filled with beer cans in one hand while holding a younger boy with the other.

When the girl stops momentarily, a female passer-by asks who drinks the beer and why no one is helping her.

In response, the man in black instructs another girl, reportedly the younger daughter, to hold the younger boy before snatching one of the bags from the 10-year-old.

He allegedly mutters “useless” before walking away, while the girl picks up the remaining bag and continues on her way.

A female teacher reported the incident to the police after seeing the video, reported The Standard. 

Police subsequently located the girl, her parents, her nine-year-old sister and her two-year-old brother. 

Officers found no apparent abnormalities involving the children, reported The Standard.

The 38-year-old father and 32-year-old mother were reportedly detained for investigation, while the case has been referred to the Social Welfare Department.  

In a Facebook statement on Wednesday, the school said it is aware of the video and that social workers and teachers immediately followed up as well as provided counselling and support to those involved. 

“We cherish every child and will not tolerate any behavior that harms children’s rights or their physical and mental health. The school is actively looking into the details of this incident,” the school said. 

The school also urged the public to not share the video further and avoid stalking the girl and her family so as to not cause further distress or fear. 

It added: “We are committed to closely monitoring and following up on the situation to provide the most appropriate support to the families involved.” — AsiaOne