Two sisters, a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, vomited, lost consciousness, and were sent to hospital after allegedly eating “marijuana candy” at home in June 2023. Their 25-year-old father denied two counts of child abuse and one count of drug possession and was tried at the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on Jan. 30. The police officer responsible for the arrest said that the defendant said that his daughters might have been eating marijuana candies, and said, “I put those marijuana candies in my room in a well-hidden corner. and I never thought that my two daughters would take them out to eat.” However, the defense questioned whether the defendant did make such a confession.
The defendant,t C.K.W (a construction worker), was accused of intentional abuse or negligence of 4-year-old X and two 2-year-old Y in a unit in Tin Shui Wai on June 25, 2023. He was also charged with possessing nine marijuana candies on the same day.
The prosecution and defense admitted the fact that the defendant and Z, the biological mother of his two daughters, were separated, and both X and Y lived with the defendant and his relatives.
Subsequent urine test results of both X and Y found traces of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Pholcodine, and Isopropanol.
The prosecution summoned Li Hoi-wah, a friend of the two girls’ grandfather. Ms. Li helped take care of and lived with the two girls at the time of the incident. She said that a friend of the defendant entered the defendant’s room that day, and then the grandfather of the two girls tore off the candy wrappers and gave them to the two sisters. However, Li saw X and, Y, each holding a packet of candies. X was chewing it, while Y was holding a fingertip-sized soft white candy. When she took that from Y and had a look, Y grabbed it back and put it into her mouth.
Soon later, the two sisters began to tremble. Ms. Li thought they had colds and fevers like they had a week before the incident, so she asked the two sisters’ uncle, who lived with them, to call an ambulance.
Police Say Defendant Admitted to Buying Marijuana Candies Online
The defendant’s brother, C.K.C, the uncle of the two sisters, testified that after calling an ambulance that night, he went back to his room and continued playing on the game console without noting the condition of the two sisters. In the early morning of the next day, the defendant called and instructed him to search for some packaged bags in the room. C.K.C found a candy package in the trash can in the living room. The defendant replied at that time, “How come only one pack?” and ordered him to continue searching.Police officer Hui Chak-bun gave his testimony and said that after Z had reported the case, he had arrived at Tuen Mun Hospital. The defendant admitted at the time that he had purchased marijuana candies online and that he “ate and left behind nine of them.” It could be that his father “unknowingly” gave them to his daughters. The defense lawyer on duty cross-examined Mr. Hui and pointed out that Mr. Hui told the defendant at that time, “You have to admit it, otherwise, we will also investigate your family members.” The defendant also denied having admitted it, and Mr. Hui disagreed. The trial continues.
Case number: TMCC1413/2023
