Appeals Court Sentences Nanny to 5 Years Prison for Child Swap; Lawyer Files Bail to Continue Case

An appeals court has upheld a 5-year prison sentence for a nanny convicted of child trafficking. Nanny Vichuda, 32, appeared at Pattaya Provincial Court on May 8, 2026 for the appeals court hearing. The appeals court upheld the lower court's decision to sentence her to 10 years imprisonment, but since she confessed, her sentence was reduced by half to 5 years. Her lawyer subsequently filed bail of 25,000 baht to secure her release pending further proceedings.

Bee, the brother-in-law of the defendant Som, stated he witnessed the victim Joy stay at Som's residence when she was newly pregnant. He expressed disbelief that Som would sell the child, noting that Som has a kind nature, loves children, and has four of her own. He said that after the incident occurred, Som consulted him, claiming she was not present when the child went missing because they lived separately. Following the lower court's conviction, Som became disheartened and asked him to care for her four grandchildren. He still believes Som had no intention to cause the child to disappear.

Meanwhile, the victim's mother Joy told reporters that she was pleased and satisfied with the court's sentencing of Som. However, she was dissatisfied when she encountered the defendant in court, feeling that Som was not telling the truth about what happened.

"I would like to thank the lower court, appeals court, Paveena, the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation team, all media colleagues, and police officers who helped prosecute the wrongdoer. I also want to appeal to the media to help amplify my voice in searching for my child's return," Joy said.

The Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women will coordinate with Bang Lamung Police to focus efforts on locating the missing child and returning her to her mother's care.