Former Preschool Cook Faces 10 Years for Molesting Toddlers

In a shocking case that has drawn significant attention, former preschool cook Teo Guan Huat has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of molesting toddlers during naptime. The 61-year-old Malaysian, who is also a permanent resident of Singapore, is facing a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison as prosecutors describe his actions as among the most egregious forms of sexual abuse in a preschool setting.

Teo entered his guilty plea on October 27, 2023, acknowledging three counts of molestation involving children who were between one and two years old at the time of the offenses. Five additional charges will be taken into consideration during sentencing. Due to a gag order, the name of the preschool where the incidents occurred remains undisclosed to protect the identities of the victims.

Details of the case reveal that Teo worked at the preschool for approximately one year before resigning in late 2023 after being discovered. His responsibilities included not only preparing food but also escorting children for showers and assisting them at nap time. During this time, he would help set up mattresses in the nap room and pat the children to sleep.

The disturbing events came to light on November 16, 2023, when an unnamed employee reviewed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage for an unrelated issue and observed Teo inserting his hand under the diaper of a two-year-old girl. Following this revelation, members of the school’s management confronted Teo, ultimately leading to his resignation on November 23, 2023. Despite this, the matter was not reported to the police until early December, during which time the school’s CCTV system was reformatted, erasing crucial evidence.

Fortunately, the police were able to recover the deleted footage, which documented several of the incidents. Teo was arrested on December 4, 2023, and during questioning, he confessed to molesting three girls, whom he knew by name. He cited personal issues, including erectile dysfunction, as factors contributing to his actions, claiming he targeted children because they could not report the abuse and would be less likely to expose him.

The prosecution characterized Teo’s behavior as predatory, noting that he took advantage of the victims’ vulnerability. The prosecutor stated that the children often hugged Teo, which likely made it easier for him to carry out the molestation without raising suspicion from other staff members. Between May and November 2023, Teo reportedly molested the girls two to three times a week, specifically when other teachers were not observing.

As part of the legal proceedings, Teo has been diagnosed with paedophilic disorder. The prosecution is seeking a ten-year prison sentence, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses and the extreme vulnerability of the victims. In contrast, Teo’s defense lawyer, Revi Shanker, argued for a six-year sentence, pointing out that Teo was not a preschool teacher but a cook. Shanker expressed that while Teo’s actions were “very, very wrong,” the school should have ensured appropriate supervision over individuals in caregiving roles.

The judge has stated that he requires additional time to consider the appropriate sentence and has adjourned the case to a later date. Under Singaporean law, Teo could face up to five years in prison and a fine for each count of molestation. However, as he is over 50 years old, he is not subject to caning, which is a form of corporal punishment applied in some cases.

This case underscores the critical importance of safeguarding children in educational environments and the need for stringent oversight of individuals working with minors. The community continues to grapple with the implications of such a breach of trust within a nurturing setting.