Megan Khung Yu Wai (4) — 4 October 2015 – 22 February 2020
Remember her name: Megan Khung. Short life. Long, brutal story. This is her story told plainly, so we don’t forget what happened and why it matters.
First, the facts. For about a year, Megan lived under terrible cruelty. Her mother, Foo Li Ping, and her mother’s boyfriend, Wong Shi Xiang, repeatedly hurt her. They beat her. They starved her. They humiliated her. They took away the simple things a child needs: warmth, clothing, safety, school.
Then the abuse got worse. She was shoved into small, exposed sleeping spaces. She ate from bins. Her head was shaved. She was forced into degrading acts meant to shame. Staff at her preschool noticed bruises on her face, arms and feet. Her mother withdrew her from school soon after.
On the night of 21 February 2020, Megan was punched in the stomach. Hours later, she was dead. Her last words to her mother were, “Mummy, I am sorry.” After that, her body was hidden. It was wrapped and sealed, kept in a rented flat for nearly three months. In May 2020, her remains were burned and then scattered into the sea at East Coast Park. The truth only surfaced months after she died. Her funeral had an empty coffin filled with toys.
This was not a single moment of anger. It was ongoing, systematic abuse. It left a family broken and a community stunned. Her grandparents remember a cheerful little girl. They kept photos. They called her their little sheep. Her smile was, by all accounts, radiant. Her father later turned his life around, leaving drugs behind and finding purpose in creating content and building a business — he now honors Megan in his work and actions.
So why tell this again? Because the story forces us to answer uncomfortable questions. How did no one stop this? How could help arrive sooner? How do we protect children who cannot speak for themselves?
What the details show
- The injuries and humiliation were repeated. That points to negligence and cruelty, not a one-off mistake.
- Removing a child from school after bruises appear is a red flag, not a solution. Schools and carers are part of the safety net.
- Hiding the body and disposing of remains shows deliberate cover-up. That deepens the cruelty and the crime.
- The ripple effects are real. A father found motivation in loss and turned his life around. That speaks to how grief can force change — sometimes for the better.
Bigger picture — child protection matters
This is not only Megan’s story. It’s an example of failure in a system meant to protect kids. When signs appear — bruises, sudden withdrawal from school, changed behavior — those signs need follow-up. When neighbours and professionals notice, they must act. When agencies respond slowly, children lose time they can’t get back.
We also need better support for families who are struggling. Abuse often sits alongside poverty, addiction, mental health struggles, and relationship breakdown. Early support for at-risk families—counselling, social checks, parenting help, and safe shelters—can save lives.
How we can do better
- Listen and report. If you suspect abuse, tell someone. Don’t assume someone else will act.
- Strengthen school reporting. Schools need fast, clear channels to escalate concerns.
- Support families early. Offer help before a situation spirals. Parenting support, addiction services, and mental-health care must be reachable.
- Protect whistleblowers. Sometimes people see things but fear reporting. Remove that fear.
- Public awareness. Know the signs: repeated injuries, withdrawal, poor hygiene, extreme fear of certain adults, or sudden changes in school attendance.
Memories of Megan
Megan loved photos. She loved her grandparents. She had a cheeky smile. Those images matter because they show her as a child — not just as a tragic headline. They remind us who was lost: a real little person with small joys and simple comforts.
My point of view
I believe stories like Megan’s should change us. They must not become just another viral outrage that fades. Instead, we should let them sharpen the systems that protect children. That means policy, yes, but also neighbourhood responsibility. It means being the kind of community that notices and acts.
Also — a personal note, plain and blunt: blaming a single factor or searching for a tidy explanation won’t help. This was a web: neglect, cruelty, failed checks, and secrecy. Fixing one thread helps, but we need to strengthen the whole fabric.
If you feel helpless reading this, channel that feeling. Ask your local schools how they handle child protection concerns. Support charities that work with vulnerable families. Vote for politicians and policies that fund early intervention. And when you see a child in trouble, report it. It matters.
Closing
Megan was four years old. Four. She smiled, played, and loved. She was taken from the world in a way no child should ever know. Remember her name. Remember her smile. Let that memory push us to protect the next child who needs it.
You are loved, Megan. We miss you. Papa (Simon Boy) especially.
