BANGKOK, THAILAND – A 57-year-old domestic worker was held in pre-trial detention in Bangkok after an alleged attempt to poison a toddler, having failed to post court-ordered bail.
Alleged Dettol in toddler’s milk bottle
The woman, identified in local media as Usanee “Ann” and widely nicknamed “Aunty Dettol”, had been brought before the Bangkok South Municipal Court on Wednesday and was then transferred to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution. According to court information, the housemaid, hired only on 26 December 2025, allegedly poured a multi-purpose disinfectant of the Dettol brand into the milk bottle of a boy aged 2 years and 4 months at about 12:25 p.m. in the family’s apartment, and the child drank the milk but initially showed no acute symptoms.
The boy’s grandmother, who lives on the third floor of the house, noticed a strong chemical smell resembling Dettol and alerted the mother. The child appeared to be sleeping but was taken as a precaution to BNH Hospital, where doctors treated him and instructed the family to continue observing him at home; hospital staff said admission was not required and no long-term damage was identified.
CCTV footage at center of police investigation
Investigators from Bang Phongphang police station pointed in particular to CCTV footage from inside the house. They said the recordings appeared to show Usanee pouring the disinfectant into the milk bottle and leaving the house at around 1 p.m., after which the mother filed a complaint with police and initiated legal action.
Police arrested the suspect on Tuesday in a studio of broadcaster Channel 3 in Bangkok, and the arrest was shown nationwide on television. At the same time, reports from former employers emerged accusing her of minor thefts.
Multiple charges and contested allegations
Prosecutors brought several charges against Usanee, including intentional bodily harm with possible physical or mental harm, adulteration of food or consumer goods with potential danger, and additional offences under Sections 295, 296 and 236 of the Criminal Code, with legal experts noting that multiple provisions could apply in such cases. In court, the accused denied all allegations and stated she had not known that the liquid was Dettol, claiming she had mistaken it for milk.
Investigators referred instead to video evidence, saying it showed she had previously used Dettol in the house as a cleaning and disinfecting agent. The case remained under close judicial and police supervision and drew nationwide attention because an ordinary household disinfectant was allegedly involved in the food of a small child.
Hired via Facebook for a single day
The proceedings also highlighted the hiring of domestic workers through social networks. Court documents stated that the boy’s mother had searched for a day worker on Facebook on 25 December 2025, and that Usanee applied under the name “Sodsai Ann”, giving her age as 57.
The agreed terms – a daily wage of 500 baht, working hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and reimbursement of motorcycle taxi costs – were arranged via the Line messenger service and later recorded in the documents. In practice, she worked only one day, 26 December, and received 500 baht for that day.
Bail denied and detention extended
The court set bail at 30,000 baht, but as the accused was unable to raise the amount, it ordered her detention. She was moved to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, where she was to remain for the time being.
At the request of investigators from Bang Phongphang police station, the Bangkok South District Court approved a first postponement of the indictment by six days, from 31 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, so that the prosecution could further prepare the charge sheet. The next court hearing was scheduled for 5 January 2026, and until then, Usanee was to stay in custody.
Ongoing evidence collection and child’s condition
Police and prosecutors continued their investigation, securing CCTV material from the house, witness statements from family members and former employers, and medical records from BNH Hospital. Authorities confirmed that the boy remained under observation at home, but medical sources reported no ongoing health problems at that time.
“A household, a baby, a single working day – and an allegation that has shocked the entire country. How well can we screen the people to whom we entrust children?”
said Thai Examiner, source commentary.
“Is video evidence alone enough for the full force of the law – or must a court be especially cautious when prejudgment has already taken place live on television?”
said Thai Examiner, source commentary.
“Is this a crystal-clear case – or a trial with open questions?”
said Thai Examiner, source commentary.