A mother has been referred to prosecutors for investigation after her young son fell to his death from the family's balcony yesterday while she was picking up her older son from school, local authorities said today.
New Taipei City police responded to a call from local residents shortly after 8pm yesterday and, on arrival, found the four-year-old boy unresponsive and without vital signs.
Photo: CNA
The boy, who fell from a building more than 10 stories high in New Taipei City's Yonghe District (永和), was rushed to a hospital for treatment, but could not be revived and was pronounced dead after 9pm, police told reporters.
According to police, the boy is believed to have moved a chair onto the balcony and stood on it.
Police said the mother had gone out to pick up her older son when the accident occurred, while the father was away on a business trip.
The mother was brought in for questioning last night, after which she was referred to prosecutors for investigation on charges of negligent homicide and contraventions of the Child and Juvenile Welfare and Rights Protection Act (兒童及少年福利與權益保障法), police said.
Under the act, leaving children under six or those requiring special care unattended, or in the care of unsuitable persons, is punishable by fines of up to NT$15,000.
Parents may also be required to attend between four and 50 hours of parenting education.
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