SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is looking at ways to further strengthen its network of agencies and community organisations, following the discovery of a toddler’s remains at a Chin Swee Road flat more than five years after she died.

The ministry also disclosed that the family has had interactions with various government agencies and community organisations over the years. “The nature of these interactions with the family is relevant to ongoing criminal investigations,” it said.

“Criminal proceedings have also commenced,” the ministry added. “In the meantime, we are reviewing how the network of agencies and community organisations can be further strengthened.”

Its spokesperson said that if the authorities come across children “without alternative caregivers” or find that there are safety concerns during their operations, these children will be referred to the MSF.

“MSF works closely with community partners to ensure stable alternative care arrangements for these children.” 

The parents of the two-and-a-half-year-old toddler were charged with murder on Sept 17. They cannot be named due to a court order to protect the identities of their other children.

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

The father of the toddler was ordered to be remanded in Changi Prison’s Complex Medical Centre for psychiatric observation and will return to court on Oct 15.

The mother will return to court on Oct 1.

Reports by Chinese newspapers stated that the toddler’s remains were found in a metal pot.

Neighbours told TODAY that the couple has at least three other children.