Mother of Boy Kekai Sentenced to 4 Years for Detention, Poisoning, and Filming; Sentence Reduced on Appeal

(CNA reporter Liu Shih-yi, Taipei, June 16) In the case of Kekai's fatal abuse, the Taiwan High Court sentenced foster caregiver Liu Tsai-hsuan to life imprisonment and Liu Jo-lin to 18 years in prison. The case is currently under appeal at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Kekai's biological mother, identified as Ms. Liu, was involved in detaining, abusing, poisoning, and filming a woman. Today, the High Court reconsidered her sentence, reducing it to four years, taking into account that she had already fulfilled her settlement obligations ahead of schedule.

The High Court stated that under the settlement agreement, Ms. Liu was originally required to pay the victim NT$5,000 monthly. However, since she had already fully paid all settlement amounts in advance, the court overturned the first-instance sentence of four years and six months, reducing it to four years. The ruling can still be appealed.

According to police and prosecution investigations, Ms. Liu, Kekai's biological mother, became resentful in 2021 (Minguo Year 110) when her boyfriend started a new relationship. She allegedly conspired with others to lure the victim to her rented apartment, where she detained, abused, fed her drugs, and filmed the acts. The victim managed to escape and reported the incident, leading to Ms. Liu's arrest and subsequent detention approval by prosecutors.

The case was prosecuted at the New Taipei District Court. At the time, Ms. Liu was approximately five months pregnant and applied for bail. The court granted her release upon posting NT$30,000. After giving birth, she handed Kekai over to his grandmother but later fled, violating her bail conditions and triggering a manhunt by the New Taipei court.

Unable to care for Kekai, the grandmother entered into a foster care agreement with the Child Welfare League Foundation. In August 2023 (Minguo Year 112), foster caregivers Liu Tsai-hsuan and Liu Jo-lin, sisters, were entrusted by the foundation to care for Kekai. From September 1 to December 23 of the same year, they allegedly abused, restricted the freedom of, and injured Kekai. On the early morning of December 24, Kekai was found unconscious and died despite medical treatment.

Ms. Liu was arrested last August and admitted to all charges. She expressed deep sorrow and pain over losing Kekai and revealed she had sought medical treatment and was taking medication. In October last year, the New Taipei District Court sentenced her to four years and six months, considering her reconciliation with the victim and compensation. After her appeal, the High Court reviewed the case and issued today's ruling.

Regarding Kekai's fatal abuse case, the Taiwan High Court ruled at the end of January this year that the original verdict by the lay judge panel contained no bias or errors. It upheld the life sentence and lifetime deprivation of civil rights for Liu Tsai-hsuan and the 18-year sentence for Liu Jo-lin. Ms. Liu, Kekai's biological mother, has filed a civil suit alongside the criminal case, seeking NT$8 million in damages from the foster sisters, the Child Welfare League, and social workers. The civil case is now being reviewed by the High Court's civil division. (Edited by Hsiao Po-wen) 1150616