Singapore Court Fines Former Autism Therapist S$5,000 for Dragging Special Needs Child
A former behavioral therapist in Singapore was fined S$5,000 on October 28, 2024, after she dragged a four-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome off a chair and onto a bedroom floor during a home tutoring session.
Tricia Lee Hsien, 29, pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt to a minor. The prosecution sought a fine between S$5,000 and S$6,000, characterizing the incident as an exceptional case involving low culpability and minimal harm because the offense lasted mere seconds and left no documented injuries.
Home Lessons and June 2024 Confrontation
Lee began conducting bi-weekly lessons with the victim in his bedroom in February 2024 after being employed by Autism Recovery Network Singapore in January 2024. The boy’s parents had installed a closed-circuit television camera in the room but typically did not intervene during lessons, trusting Lee to handle tantrums or behavioral issues.
During a session on June 13, 2024, the boy started fidgeting while Lee read to him. She instructed him to adopt the “quiet hands” position to prevent violent behavior or snatching. When the boy tried to grab the book instead, Lee pulled it away and the boy hit her in the face, knocking off her spectacles.
After readjusting her glasses, Lee aggressively waved her left hand twice before hurling the book violently onto the floor, table, and wall. The boy hit her face two more times, knocking off her spectacles again. Rising to her feet, Lee seized the child by the hand and pulled him down from his seat onto the floor.
Discovery and Legal Consequences
Following the physical altercation, Lee carried the boy out of the room and told his father that he had hit her face. The session ended after several attempts to calm the boy failed. When the boy’s mother reviewed the security camera footage, she told Lee’s employer about the incident. She also made a police report and brought the boy to the hospital, where medical staff found no physical injuries.
Principal District Judge Toh Yung Cheong accepted that Lee’s culpability was low because the offense occurred only after she was struck in the face. However, the judge noted that as a behavioral therapist aware of the child’s condition, she could have chosen alternative methods to manage the situation. Lee’s defense lawyer, Mr Low Cheong Yeow, stated that his client’s intention was to take the boy to his father for help in calming him down, and that she acted without thinking through her actions carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Case
What specific legal charge did Tricia Lee face?
Tricia Lee pleaded guilty to one charge of voluntarily causing hurt to a person under the age of 14, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of up to six years in prison.
Why was the autism center’s name withheld from public reports?
The name of the autism center was withheld to comply with a court-imposed gag order designed to protect the identity of the four-year-old victim.
What happened to Tricia Lee’s employment status following the incident?
Autism Recovery Network Singapore terminated Lee’s employment on June 14, 2024, one day after the incident occurred.
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