SINGAPORE — The parents of a two-and-a-half-year-old toddler whose remains were found in a Chin Swee Road rental flat last week were charged with murder on Tuesday (Sept 17).

A 31-year-old man and 30-year-old woman, both Singaporeans, are believed to have killed their daughter in March 2014. They face the death penalty if convicted.

The couple — who cannot be named due to a court order to protect the identities of their other children — lived at Block 52, Chin Swee Road and have been in remand since June last year for unrelated offences.

Court records found that the man has three pending charges, including one for rioting with four others on April 5 last year past 3.30am. He allegedly punched, kicked and used a helmet to hit another man.

Join our Telegram channel to get TODAY's top stories on mobile:

*TODAY's WhatApp news service will cease from November 2019.

Sometime in June last year, he allegedly took methamphetamine, although he had previously been admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre twice before, in 2011 and 2016, for abusing drugs. 

He was also charged for the offence of failing to return to a community supervision centre on Feb 13 last year, after leave was granted for him to be employed at a food supplies company from November 2017 to April 2018.

Separately, the woman was sentenced to five years and two months' jail on Sept 9 over drug and theft charges.

The police said that they received a call for help on Sept 10 at about 8.30pm and later found human remains inside a flat at Block 52 Chin Swee Road. 

Reports by Chinese media last week stated that the toddler’s remains were found in a metal pot. Neighbours told TODAY that the couple has at least three other children. 

The couple will be remanded at the Central Police Division for one week to aid investigations and the case will be heard again via video link on Sept 24. 

Responding to TODAY's queries, a Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) spokesperson confirmed that the couple has other children, "all of whom are under stable alternative care arrangements".

"MSF will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the children’s safety and welfare", said the spokesperson, adding that the ministry is working closely with the police amid its investigations.