Taiwan: Father Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Baby's Neglect Death

A ten-month-old infant in Taoyuan was found unresponsive, leading to a tragic case of child neglect and severe sentencing for the father.

In a heartbreaking case from Taiwan, a father has been sentenced to over 10 years in prison following the death of his ten-month-old son due to alleged neglect. The mother received a lighter sentence of eight months, with a three-year probation.

The incident occurred in Taoyuan in December 2021 when the baby was rushed to a hospital by his mother after being found unresponsive. Despite medical efforts, the infant did not survive. Medical professionals, noting the child's emaciated condition and sunken cheeks, suspected malnutrition or abuse and reported the case to the city government.

Investigations revealed that the infant's parents, identified as Mr. Xu and Ms. Tu, had allegedly failed to provide adequate care for the child. The Taoyuan District Court found that Mr. Xu, the primary caregiver, had left the baby unattended for several hours despite knowing the child's poor health. The court determined that Mr. Xu's actions, leading to the baby's death, constituted child abandonment.

The court cited the violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the lack of remorse from Mr. Xu, who admitted to lesser charges but denied responsibility for the child's death. Ms. Tu was given a more lenient sentence due to her remorse and financial responsibilities, including caring for another young child. The case is open to appeal.