Sharmin Shila, popularly known on social media as “Cream Apa,” has been arrested by police following allegations of child abuse for the purpose of making monetized content. She was detained in Savar and taken to Ashulia Police Station, confirmed the station’s investigation officer, Kamal Hossain.

The case was filed on April 9 by Kazi Israt Jahan, a Women Affairs Officer of Savar Upazila. According to the complaint, Sharmin Shila is a beautician who runs a beauty parlor called “Cream Apa Beauty Parlor” in the Baipail area. She is known for producing and selling homemade skincare products, and she regularly shares beauty-related content on social media platforms, where she features her son and daughter in videos.

One video, which went viral on March 3, shows her forcibly feeding cake-like food to her daughter by pressing her cheeks to open her mouth. The child appeared unwilling and distressed. This sparked public outrage, with viewers accusing her of cruelty and psychological abuse toward her children.

Sharmin has been heavily criticized for frequently using her children in videos where they seem frightened or emotionally distressed. She faced a backlash online, leading to a formal complaint from a child welfare organization named “Ekai Eksho” submitted to the Dhaka District Commissioner’s office. Authorities were urged to take swift action within three days, and copies of the complaint were sent to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and the Department of Social Services.

Following the outcry, Sharmin appeared in a Facebook live session, apologizing publicly and promising to stop making such content. However, legal proceedings have since moved forward, resulting in her arrest.