In a harrowing case that has shocked Singapore, the mother and former boyfriend of four-year-old Megan Khung have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in her abuse and death in 2020. Foo Li Ping, 29, received a 19-year jail sentence, while Wong Shi Xiang, 38, was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 17 strokes of the cane. The sentencing, handed down on April 3, 2025, by High Court Justice Hoo Sheau Peng, has reignited public discourse on child protection and the responsibilities of caregivers in the city-state.
A Pattern of Cruelty and Neglect
The court heard chilling details of the sustained abuse inflicted on Megan over more than a year, beginning when she was just three years old. Foo and Wong subjected the young girl to physical and emotional torment, including caning, slapping, and deprivation of food and clothing. Megan was forced to sleep on a balcony or in a planter box at their rented condominium in Paya Lebar, often without adequate shelter or warmth. Disturbing acts of humiliation, such as forcing her to wear soiled diapers on her head and eat food from a dustbin, were captured on video, later presented as evidence in court. 
Justice Hoo described the pair’s conduct as “heinous, deplorable and violent,” emphasizing the deliberate nature of their cruelty. “For their own sadistic ends, the accused persons robbed Megan of her basic dignity” she stated during the sentencing. The judge highlighted how Megan’s desperate pleas for food and comfort were met with mockery and further abuse by her mother, revealing a profound betrayal of parental duty.
The abuse escalated after Foo withdrew Megan from her preschool in September 2019, following concerns raised by staff who noticed bruises on the child’s body. Despite warnings from the school that any suspected abuse would be reported to the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Foo removed her daughter from the protective environment of the preschool, after which the severity of the mistreatment intensified.
A Tragic End and a Callous Cover-Up
The culmination of this abuse came on February 21, 2020, when Wong delivered a fatal punch to Megan’s stomach, triggered by what he perceived as her failure to respond to his reprimands. The court heard that even after Megan became unresponsive, Wong prioritized concealing his actions over seeking help, refusing to use a defibrillator he had access to for fear of prosecution. Justice Hoo condemned this inaction as emblematic of the pair’s “utter callousness and cruelty.”
Following Megan’s death, Foo and Wong went to extraordinary lengths to cover up their crime. After researching methods to dispose of a body, they burned Megan’s remains in a custom-made metal barrel on May 8, 2020. Her ashes were never recovered, denying her the dignity of a proper burial. “At the end of her life, they denied Megan of the dignity of a proper laying to rest” Justice Hoo remarked, underscoring the depth of their depravity.
The couple’s actions only came to light after Megan’s father, Khung Wei Nan, a businessman and content creator known as Simonboy, filed a police report on July 20, 2020, expressing concern for his daughter’s safety. He had last seen Megan in February 2017 before his incarceration in a drug rehabilitation center. Following the report, Foo, Wong, and a friend, Nouvelle Chua Ruoshi, were arrested on July 24, 2020. Chua, who allegedly abused drugs with the couple at their residence, faces charges related to Megan’s death, with her case still pending in the State Courts.
Judicial Response and Societal Reflection
In her sentencing remarks, Justice Hoo did not mince words about the gravity of the offenses. She rejected Foo’s handwritten letters claiming to be a victim of domestic abuse and expressing remorse, finding no mitigating value in them. “Even if it was true that Foo had been abused, it did not absolve her of any liability” the judge stated. Similarly, Wong’s defense that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and merely attempting to discipline Megan was dismissed as aggravating rather than mitigating.
The sentences—19 years for Foo and 30 years with caning for Wong—reflect the court’s stance on the severity of child abuse. “When parents or caregivers abuse their children in ways which torment them physically, mentally and emotionally, the court must, on behalf of society, impose stiff punishment reflecting the disapprobation of such conduct” Justice Hoo concluded. The prosecution had sought 15 to 20 years for Foo and 28 to 30 years with 15 to 17 strokes for Wong, indicating the sentences aligned closely with their recommendations.
This case has prompted widespread outrage and grief in Singapore, a nation known for its stringent laws and emphasis on social order. The graphic nature of the abuse, coupled with the deliberate efforts to conceal the crime, has fueled calls for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable children. Public sentiment, as reflected in discussions on social media platforms, reveals a mix of anger and sorrow, with many questioning how such prolonged abuse went undetected despite earlier red flags raised by Megan’s preschool.
Systemic Challenges in Child Protection
Megan’s tragedy raises critical questions about the effectiveness of child protection mechanisms in Singapore. While the preschool staff acted responsibly by confronting Foo and threatening to involve authorities, the subsequent withdrawal of Megan from the school effectively removed her from a potential safety net. This highlights a gap in follow-up procedures when children are suddenly removed from environments where abuse might be detected.
Experts in child welfare argue that while Singapore has robust legal frameworks, such as the Children and Young Persons Act, implementation and community vigilance remain uneven. Social workers and educators often face challenges in balancing parental rights with child safety, especially in cases where abuse is suspected but not immediately provable. There is also a cultural reluctance in some quarters to interfere in family matters, which can delay intervention.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development has faced scrutiny over whether more proactive measures could have saved Megan. Although the preschool flagged concerns, there appears to have been no sustained monitoring after her withdrawal. In response to public outcry following similar cases in recent years, the government has pledged to enhance training for educators and social workers to recognize signs of abuse and to streamline reporting processes. However, critics argue that without mandatory follow-ups for at-risk children, such measures may fall short.
Personal and Public Grief
At the sentencing, Foo was allowed a brief moment with her mother and relatives, during which she tearfully apologized in Mandarin. Her mother, in a heartbreaking exchange, urged her to take care of herself and promised to wait for her release from prison. Both Foo and Wong remained expressionless as their sentences were delivered, a stark contrast to the emotional weight of the proceedings.
For Megan’s father, Khung Wei Nan, the loss of his daughter under such horrific circumstances is a wound that may never heal. His decision to file a police report, despite not having seen Megan for over three years, ultimately led to the exposure of the abuse. His role as a public figure adds another layer of visibility to the case, prompting discussions about parental responsibility and the impact of personal struggles, such as his own incarceration, on family dynamics.
Beyond the courtroom, Megan’s story has resonated deeply with Singaporeans, many of whom see her as a symbol of the hidden suffering endured by some children behind closed doors. Vigils and online tributes have emerged, with calls for her memory to inspire change. Community groups are advocating for greater public education on recognizing and reporting abuse, as well as increased support for families in crisis to prevent such tragedies.
Looking Ahead: A Call for Reform
As Singapore grapples with the aftermath of Megan Khung’s death, the focus now shifts to ensuring that her suffering was not in vain. The severity of the sentences sends a clear message about the consequences of child abuse, but systemic challenges remain. How can authorities better protect children like Megan, who fall through the cracks of oversight? What role does society play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse?
For now, Megan’s story stands as a somber reminder of the fragility of young lives and the urgent need for vigilance. As reforms are debated and policies reviewed, her name echoes as a call to action—a plea to safeguard the most vulnerable among us.
