New Taipei Yonghe Boy Dies After Falling from Building While Home Alone; Mother Charged with Negligent Homicide

(Central News Agency reporter Cao Ya-yan, Huang Xu-sheng, New Taipei, April 29) A boy died after falling from a high-rise building in Yonghe, New Taipei City, last night. Police investigation revealed that the mother had gone out to pick up her elder son, leaving the boy home alone. He is suspected to have fallen from the balcony while looking for his mother. After questioning, the mother was referred to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of negligent homicide and violations of the Child and Youth Welfare and Rights Protection Act.

New Taipei police and fire department received a report that a 4-year-old boy fell from a building over ten stories high in a community in Yonghe District, New Taipei City, around 8 PM last night. The security guard immediately called the police after discovering him. When paramedics arrived, the boy was in OHCA (out-of-hospital cardiac arrest) state and was immediately sent to Shuang Ho Hospital for emergency treatment, but was pronounced dead around 9 PM.

It is understood that the boy's father was away on a business trip at the time, and the mother was taking care of her two sons alone. In the evening, the mother went out to pick up her elder son from after-school care, leaving the boy alone at home. The boy is suspected to have moved a chair to the balcony to look for his mother and accidentally fell into the community courtyard on the first floor, resulting in his death.

Police took the mother back to the police station last night for questioning, and the father also rushed back overnight. After police questioning, the mother was referred to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of negligent homicide and violations of the Child and Youth Welfare and Rights Protection Act.

The New Taipei City Social Welfare Department responded that, according to Article 51 of the Child and Youth Welfare and Rights Protection Act, parents, guardians, or other caregivers shall not leave children under the age of 6 alone. Violators will be fined between NT$3,000 and NT$15,000 and required to attend 40 to 50 hours of parenting education.

The Social Welfare Department stated that after investigation, the family in this case did not have welfare status. After receiving the report, social workers will conduct a visit to understand the incident, past care situations, care burden, and division of care responsibilities. If there was a situation of leaving the child alone, penalties will be imposed according to the Child and Youth Welfare and Rights Protection Act, and parenting education courses will be required. (Edited by Lin Shu-hui) 1150429

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