15-7-2024 (TAIPEI) A mother in Hsinchu County was caught on camera forcing her young daughter to walk barefoot on the searing hot pavement, allegedly as a form of punishment. The disturbing scene, which unfolded in the midst of Taiwan’s sweltering summer heat, has sparked a wave of concern and condemnation from the public.
According to eyewitness accounts, the distressing episode took place around noon, when temperatures soared to a blistering 36°C (97°F). A bystander captured footage of a young girl, estimated to be around four or five years old, being dragged along the scorching asphalt road by her mother, her bare feet subjected to the intense heat. The child’s agonizing screams and pleas of “the floor is so hot” pierced the air as she desperately tried to minimize contact with the burning surface by jumping and seeking refuge in shaded areas.
Alarmed by the scene unfolding before her eyes, a concerned woman approached the mother, inquiring about the lack of footwear for the child. The mother’s response was startling: she claimed that her daughter had misplaced her shoes, and she lacked the financial means to purchase a replacement pair. In a compassionate gesture, the bystander offered to buy new shoes for the girl, but her offer was met with an angry rejection from the mother.
Undeterred, the woman questioned the mother’s actions, suggesting they might constitute abuse. However, the mother remained defiant, taunting the concerned citizen to report the incident to the authorities. Despite the woman’s attempts to intervene and separate the child from her mother, the little girl continued to follow her.
After trailing the mother and daughter for approximately 20 minutes, the distressed bystander ultimately called the police, prompting an investigation into the matter. Although law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, the mother and child had already retreated into their home, refusing to open the door.
The Hsinchu County Social Affairs Department has been notified of the incident and has vowed to launch a thorough investigation to determine whether this was an isolated case or part of a broader pattern of abuse. If deemed an isolated incident, the mother will be mandated to attend parenting education courses. However, if evidence of regular abuse surfaces, the department has pledged to intervene decisively to protect the child’s well-being.
