Vietnamese family dispute over children’s health goes viral

The troubling case of a Vietnamese family in dispute has been reported by the popular Docnhanh platform.

The husband claims his wife had been cruelly denying their children water, leading to their illness. However, the wife counter-argued, stating he had been forcing their offspring to regularly drink salt water under the guise of treatment.

Previously, the father, referred to as Kieu, contacted the National Child Protection Committee to report on his two daughters, aged seven and five, who had shown high liver enzyme levels. He accused his wife of refusing to let them drink water, exacerbating their illness. Yet, when asked for evidence to substantiate his wife’s actions, Kieu could not provide any.

In contrast, the wife insisted she always provided drinking water as needed. She mentioned that she would remind them to drink water when they forget due to being engrossed in play. Furthermore, she revealed that disagreements over child-rearing methods with her husband had led him to believe she was denying the children water.

She also believed that Kieu was psychologically abusive towards her and their children. His frequent loud swearing after consuming alcohol was due to his belief that she was not raising their children properly and causing their sickness.

The wife added that for about six months, Kieu had been making their children drink saltwater to increase their thirst and subsequently their water intake, under the pretence of treatment.

High liver enzymes

The two children’s mother made known that only the elder daughter showed high liver enzymes without a known cause, while their younger daughter was healthy.

“The youngest daughter refuses to drink saltwater and cries every time her father forces her. Now, he forces only the elder daughter to drink saltwater, while he secretly adds soup powder to the younger daughter’s food to increase her salt intake each day.

“He forces our elder daughter to drink a glass of saltwater, saying it’s for treating the illness, or else she will die. She has to drink as her father says, otherwise, she will be shouted at, and I will be blamed for causing her illness and denying her water.”

During the investigation, journalists and community officials learned that the community authorities had been monitoring the situation consistently. The elder daughter gave her side of the story to officials.

“My mother never forbade me or my sister from drinking water. Whenever I drink water, she never takes my glass away.”

This statement confirmed that Kieu’s allegations were unfounded, reported Sanook.

The wife added that she and Kieu were in the process of divorcing and hoped that officials would intervene to protect the children’s health.