TAIPEI: A 10-month-old infant whose father is accused of dropping her in boiling water during a domestic dispute Saturday has died in Taiwan's Changhua County.

The father, a 47-year-old proprietor of a noodle shop and identified only by his surname Huang, is being held on a homicide charge. Conviction could mean the death penalty, life in prison or imprisonment for longer than 15 years, according to the Changhua prosecutor's office.

In any case in which the victim of a crime is very young penalties are exacerbated, said Changhua District Prosecutor Jhang Huei-cyong. Nor is the case mitigated in circumstances in which the perpetrator was drunk.

The case has sparked outrage as well as heartbreak in Taiwan and beyond the island's shores.

The little girl died of organ failure yesterday at 10 am, after her mother, identified by her surname Lin, agreed to have the infant's life support removed.

"Mommy doesn't want you to leave ... But I'm letting you go so you will be reborn in a good family," her mother was quoted as saying at the infant's bedside. Beside them were the three elder siblings.

The tragedy began Saturday at the family's noodle shop, apparently during a domestic dispute.

After the incident the mother reportedly scooped her baby out of a pot of boiling water and ran cold water over her. But the child continued to suffer and her mother took her to the police station seeking help. The infant was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with severe burns over 95 percent of her body.

Neighbours say the accused has a history of drunkness. The couple who had lived together for 12 years were unmarried and had two other daughters, the neighbours said.

Huang was back at work in his shop when police came to arrest him Saturday.

Taiwan's Child Welfare League Foundation chief executive officer Wang Yu-min pointed out that corporal punishment is still common in Taiwan. Some parents beat children to vent negative emotion or use children for exacting revenge against partners.

The foundation says as of March there were 46 cases of domestic violence involving 73 children in Taiwan. Eight children died.

Weng Hui-yuan, of Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, said that there's no shame in asking for help if parents feel hard to control themselves.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 04/22/2009 page1)