“We Tattooed Our One-Year-Old for You”: Parents Accused of Child Abuse After Attempting to Win a Free Apartment

A Russian couple has sparked widespread outrage after allegedly tattooing their one-year-old child in an attempt to win a free apartment offered through an online promotional challenge.

According to international media outlets, including The Sun, on October 23 (local time), a video surfaced online showing the couple tattooing their infant's arm.

In the footage, the child can be heard crying in pain while the father restrains the baby to prevent movement. A tattoo artist is seen writing the words "Mellstroy-Game" on the child's arm.

The challenge was reportedly created by Russian influencer Mellstroy (26), who has approximately 7.6 million followers. Mellstroy announced that he would give away an apartment worth £45,500 (approximately USD $60,000) to the person who created the most bizarre promotional video for his online casino.

The child's mother later explained,

"We have so much debt that we've been living in rental housing for the past three years. We decided to tattoo our one-year-old in a way that would surprise you."

Public Outrage and Official Investigation

The video quickly spread across social media, drawing widespread condemnation from viewers around the world.

As criticism intensified, the couple claimed that the child's arm had not actually been tattooed, insisting that the markings had been made with a pen rather than a tattoo machine.

However, Ekaterina Mizulina, head of Russia's Safe Internet League, rejected the explanation.

"The footage clearly shows the baby crying," she said. "Regardless of whether the tattoo is real, the act of creating and filming this type of content constitutes child abuse."

She called for authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the incident.

Tattooing Carries Medical Risks

Tattooing is an invasive procedure that deposits pigment into the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin. Potential complications include infection, inflammation, allergic reactions to tattoo pigments, and exposure to bacterial or viral diseases through needle punctures.

According to Dr. Kirk, Chief Plastic Surgeon at Onul Plastic Surgery, infection is the most common complication associated with tattoos.

"When infection occurs, it can damage surrounding tissue, lead to scarring, and even cause pigment loss," Dr. Kirk explained.

He also noted that individuals prone to keloid formation may develop excessive scar tissue, while others may experience hypertrophic scars, which are raised scars that develop during the wound-healing process.

Tattooing Is Especially Dangerous for Young Children

Dr. Kirk emphasized that tattooing poses even greater risks for infants and young children.

"Children have relatively immature immune systems, making them more susceptible to inflammation and infection," he said.

Because children's skin is still growing and developing, they are also more likely to develop noticeable scars following skin injuries.

Dr. Kirk further warned that prolonged exposure to unexpected and intense pain at such a young age may have negative psychological effects, making the practice particularly dangerous.

Source: Chosun Health – “We Tattooed Our One-Year-Old for You”: Parents Accused of Child Abuse After Attempting to Win a Free Apartment