Parents Of 5-Year-Old Girl Who Had 130 Injuries Found Guilty Of Murder
The parents of a 5-year-old girl, who was found with over 130 injuries on her body, were found guilty of murder by a court in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
The girl, whose identity was not known, was rushed to a hospital in an unconscious state on Jan.6, 2018, where she was pronounced dead. Doctors found over 130 injuries all over her body, including deep cuts on her scalp. An autopsy revealed that the victim had died due to sepsis caused by wound infection, Dim Sum Daily reported.
A police case was registered and investigation revealed that the victim was abused and ill-treated by her parents for over five months. It was revealed she was not only beaten black and blue with objects, but was also starved and given leftovers to eat. She was also not allowed to sleep.
During the investigation, the officers also found the girl’s 8-year-old brother with similar injuries on his body. The boy, who was underweight, told the investigators the girl was thrown toward the ceiling 18 times by her father before she fell unconscious, ABS CBN News reported.
The parents were detained for questioning, during which they confessed to ill-treating and neglecting the children for over five months, The South China Morning Post reported.
During the trial, the prosecutors told the court prolonged neglect and abuse by the parents may have weakened the victim’s immune system and indirectly contributed to her death, The Star reported.
Following the trial, the parents were found guilty of murder Tuesday. They will be appearing in court again later this month for sentencing. In Hong Kong, murder is punishable by life imprisonment.
The incident comes months after a woman in Philadelphia was charged with murder in connection with her 7-year-old son’s death. Tazmir Ransom was taken to a local hospital after he had difficulty breathing. Tests revealed he had numerous injuries all over his body, and four days later, he succumbed to injuries. His mother was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault.