A family like this, if it lacks a mother, will surely fall apart. If Duan remarries, the children, after experiencing such a major upheaval, would then have to accept a stepmother, which would be difficult for them psychologically." With this in mind, Chen Haiyi and social worker Xu Zhijian together approached the local judicial office and police station. After several rounds of communication, they also agreed to supervise this family. Meanwhile, Xiao Jun and her family had thought it through and were willing to make efforts to forgive Ms. Chen.
Six years later, the mother and daughter from the once highly publicized ear-cutting case sat side by side, generously accepting interviews from reporters. "For her, I always feel indebted, wanting to treat her better and better. She said, mom, you don't need to overly favor me," Xiao Jun's mother Ms. Chen told reporters yesterday. And accompanying her was Judge Chen Haiyi from the Juvenile Court of Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court, who candidly admitted for the first time that she had some concerns about the probation ruling back then. Seeing the situation today, she felt greatly gratified.
Six years ago, Xiao Jun (a pseudonym), not yet 14 years old, had both ears brutally cut off by her mother. After her mother was sentenced to actual imprisonment in the first trial, Xiao Jun hesitated many times but ultimately chose to forgive her mother, requesting the court to lighten the sentence. Eventually, her mother was sentenced to probation and returned to the family.
Six years ago, the mother who cruelly cut off her daughter's ears was ultimately sentenced to probation.
Why would a mother resort to such extreme measures against her own daughter? In Ms. Chen's view at the time, it all stemmed from her daughter's disobedience. During the investigation stage, Ms. Chen stated: "She stole money and rice from home to sell, then ate at restaurants with classmates. Once, she didn't come home for several days. When I tried to bring her home, she shouted for help and even told people outside that she wasn't my biological child... Since she wouldn't listen to me, I cut off her ears!"
Tragedy: Hating her daughter's disobedience, the mother cut off her ears.
In October 2005, at around 10 p.m., in a rented apartment in Huadu District, Xiao Jun was sound asleep when suddenly awakened by a noise. Opening her eyes, she saw her mother Ms. Chen holding a knife on her bed. Ms. Chen twisted her daughter's hands behind her back, sat on her, and placed her head on the quilt. Amidst Xiao Jun's screams, Ms. Chen used a kitchen knife to first cut off her daughter's left ear, then the right. Afterward, she flushed the ears down the toilet and called her husband, who was working a night shift as a taxi driver, to take her daughter to the hospital. Subsequently, Ms. Chen quietly sat at home, waiting for the police to take her away.
Forgiveness: Through the judge's efforts, the daughter forgave her mother.
Finally, Judge Chen visited Ms. Chen in detention and engaged in detailed discussions. Ms. Chen promised that she would no longer use violence against her children.
With the enthusiastic help of society, Xiao Jun was able to undergo ear reconstruction surgery. However, upon learning that her mother was sentenced to prison, her previously improved mood turned silent again. Ms. Chen believed that the Huadu Court's sentencing was too severe and appealed to the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court. After receiving the case, Judge Chen Haiyi from the Juvenile Court decided to work together with the social workers from Huadu Youth Court Friends to visit Xiao Jun's family. Judge Chen learned that Xiao Jun's family had lived in Huadu for many years. Her father worked as a taxi driver with a decent income, while Ms. Chen took care of Xiao Jun and her younger brother at home. Ms. Chen had a low level of education and had long been disconnected from society, spending her days around the stove. She grew up being beaten and scolded by her parents and thus believed that children needed to be disciplined to listen. As Xiao Jun refused to listen to her, her younger brother also started showing rebellious tendencies, often loitering in internet cafes.
Xiao Jun (second from right) and her mother sit side by side; their happiness stems from her forgiveness and her mother's repentance.
On May 10, 2007, the Huadu Court in Guangzhou sentenced Ms. Chen to six years in prison for intentional injury.