James Nayagam said according to the Child Act, once a parent is absent, JKM would assume the custody role for the child.
“And it is up to the welfare officer to find a fit person to be his or her guardian, from either a family or friend, by taking into consideration the best interests of the child,” he told FMT.
James was commenting on a report that a nanny, Tan Guat Hoon, 37, was now facing trouble registering the boy in school because she did not have his relevant documents as she is not his legal guardian.
Tan said the boy’s biological mother disappeared in 2013 and attempts to track her down had been futile.
The widow said she would file a court order seeking to adopt the boy if the mother did not turn up within one week.
James said as Tan had no legal rights over the boy, taking the child into her custody could amount to abduction.
“This is a serious matter. What if the biological mother comes out now and alleges that her son was abducted?”
He said whenever children were abandoned, JKM should be the first to be notified to avoid future problems.