A nanny surnamed Liu has received the maximum sentence of life in prison for neglecting, abusing and failing to feed a one-year-old infant in her charge, resulting in his death in December 2023. The Taipei District Court also sentenced her younger sister and accomplice to 18 years. The sisters both worked as registered nannies appointed by the Child Welfare League Foundation, a prominent Taiwanese child protection organization. Before the verdict, the elder Liu confessed to losing patience with the child and said she was unable to cope with his care. She admitted to causing injury, neglect and failing to feed him, leading to malnutrition. Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Taiwan over the weekend to demand better protection for children in the country, including calls for the establishment of an integrated Child Protection Department and changes to the law to eliminate the chance of parole for anyone convicted of child abuse resulting in death. In 2024 alone, Taiwan recorded over 6,000 cases of abuse involving children under the age of 12. The health ministry has announced it’s working to enhance child protection efforts, although the details are still under discussion.
