A Cautionary Tale for Employers

In a gripping Facebook post, Ashley Alexendra recounted her harrowing experience with a domestic helper who vanished after nine months of service, urging others to be cautious about whom they trust with their families.

The Trust That Turned Sour

Alexendra hired the helper in July 2024, intending for her to care for her infant and assist with light household chores. Initially, the helper seemed reliable, even handing over her passport to instill a sense of security in the family. However, cracks quickly appeared in this facade.

From Stress to Manipulation

As weeks went by, the helper claimed that her job was too demanding, prompting Alexendra's family to ease her duties. They stopped asking her to cook and aimed to alleviate her stress. But troubling signs began to emerge—she violated phone policies, stayed up late chatting online, and grew neglectful of her responsibilities.

A Disturbing Incident

One alarming incident involved their baby developing a urinary tract infection, which Alexendra attributed to the helper's negligence in changing diapers in a timely manner. Despite this, the family chose not to report her, opting instead for patience and communication, hoping for improvement.

Emotional Manipulation Uncovered

Things escalated when the helper emotionally manipulated the family with false claims about her mother's health, providing bogus documents to back her story. It was later revealed that her mother was fine, further eroding the family's trust.

The Smoking Habit and Secret Lives

To their shock, Alexendra discovered through social media that the helper was a smoker—something she had promised not to be during her time in Singapore. Moreover, the helper was found to possess multiple phones, with two numbers deactivated and a new line set up outside of what was provided by the Ministry of Manpower.

The Great Escape

On May 4, after asking for her passport under the guise of needing it for a banking issue, the helper went on her scheduled day off and never returned. Alexendra later learned that the helper had planned her escape, having left Singapore via a ferry, reportedly to reunite with her boyfriend.

A Lesson Learned

Despite treating the helper well—giving gifts, ang baos, and ensuring her meals were satisfactory—Alexendra's family faced emotional turmoil from the ordeal. They have since canceled her work permit and filed a police report. 'We tried to be understanding and kind,' Alexendra stated, 'but this experience has drained us. Please don’t trust too easily: set boundaries, stay vigilant, and protect your family before it's too late.'