Story Of Kindergarten Teacher In China Sentenced To Death For Poisoning 25 Students

Photo illustration (Erika Fletcher / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Wang Yun, a kindergarten (TK) teacher was sentenced to death after poisoning 25 children. In an official ruling, the Jiaozuo Intermediate People's Court in Henan Province described the motive for Wang Yun's murder as despicable and cruel.

The court facts show that Wang poisoned the 25 children after fighting with other teachers. "He must be severely punished according to the law," said the verdict, reported by CNN, Tuesday, September 29.

The court heard that in the lead up to the student poisoning incident, Wang had an argument with a teacher at Jiaozuo Kindergarten. They fight after discussing the best way to handle the students.

Then, on the morning of March 27, 2019, Wang gave nitrite in the porridge that the school gave and intended for students and teachers. Nitrite is known to have poisonous properties and is usually used as a fertilizer, ammunition, and even explosives.

At high levels, the effects of nitrites stop the human body from properly absorbing oxygen. The act of poisoning someone is not just once. Wang was previously arrested while trying to poison her husband in February 2017 after an argument.

On that occasion, Wang poured nitrite into the glass Feng was using, causing mild symptoms. At the time of the kindergarten poisoning, one of the parents told China's state-run tabloid Global Times that she received a call from the kindergarten that her child was vomiting and passed out.

"The vomit was all over (their) pants. There were other kids who were vomiting too and they looked pale," said one student surnamed Li.

Not the only case

Wang's case is not the first in China. Previously, eight parents claimed to have found needle marks on their children's heads and bodies after returning from Zhaojun Dingqi Kindergarten, Mongolia.

According to Xinhua, when asked about needle marks, the children told their parents that the teacher stabbed them with toothpicks and needles for not behaving well. They were ordered not to tell their families.

In a statement, the Xincheng District police said three women had been detained on suspicion of "abusing children under their custody." The investigation is continuing.

Dingqi Kindergarten said in a statement that the school temporarily apologized for the concern caused to the parents. Even so they said there was no evidence to support these allegations.

"Currently (we) have been working with the police to provide relevant surveillance footage and equipment, and are cooperating with investigations by the public security department," the statement said.

An act of violence committed by a teacher has not happened only once in China. In November 2017, a kindergarten teacher in Beijing was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stabbing four students with needles. Police said the teacher used needles to "tame" the children.