Heartbreak in Taiwan: Newborn Baby Found Dead After Abandonment

Investigation Underway in Chiayi County Following Tragic Discovery

Taipei, Taiwan - A devastating case unfolding in Taiwan has captured the attention of the nation. Prosecutors in Chiayi County are investigating the death of a newborn baby boy found abandoned and deceased outside a deserted residence in Budai Township last week. Initial findings from an autopsy suggest the infant was alive at the time of abandonment, sparking a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office confirmed that the autopsy, conducted on Wednesday, revealed the baby boy weighed 2.523 kilograms at birth and showed no signs of congenital diseases. Further analysis, including toxicology reports and microscopic examinations, is underway to pinpoint the exact cause of death.

The mother of the child, who already has a 1-year-old daughter, is the focus of the investigation. The mother's husband is currently incarcerated. According to the prosecution, the mother had been working in southern Taiwan to support her family and left her older child in the care of her parents in Budai. Last July, she discovered she was pregnant and returned to her parents' home, concealing her pregnancy and forgoing prenatal care.

On March 29th, the mother gave birth to the baby boy. Authorities report that she left the newborn at a deserted house. Later, she returned to the location and found the baby deceased. She cleaned the baby and placed him in a cardboard box before leaving him in front of the house. The body was discovered on April 2nd, and the mother was apprehended the following day.

Prosecutors initially sought to detain the mother, citing concerns about her potential flight risk and emotional instability. However, the Chiayi District Court denied the request, citing her financial circumstances and strong ties to her existing family. The court also noted her confession and legal constraints against detaining mothers who have recently given birth.

The Prosecutors Office is considering charges of abandonment leading to death, which carries a potential sentence of 7 years to life imprisonment. Depending on the investigation's findings, the mother could also face charges of causing the death of a child "under unavoidable circumstances" immediately after birth, resulting in a prison term of 6 months to 5 years.