On April 28, in the city of Yuncheng, Shanxi province, the “boy abused to death by stepfather and mother” case was sentenced. The boy’s stepfather, Wang Mouhu, was sentenced to death, while his mother, Xie Mouduo, was sentenced to life imprisonment.
This verdict has captured the attention and sparked discussions among netizens. Many expressed sympathy for the abused child who lost his life. Some comments pointed out that although the boy’s biological mother was not sentenced to death, her remaining life may be likened to living in hell.
According to reports by the Frontline News, the case was originally scheduled for a retrial at the Intermediate People’s Court of Yuncheng on April 25. The boy’s biological father, Mr. Zhang, had stated that he received a court notice and would attend the court proceeding in hopes of seeking justice for his child.
Following the verdict on April 28, the phone of the boy’s biological father remained off.
In 2021, Xie Mouduo divorced Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang claimed that Xie Mouduo had cheated on him, frequently asked him for money, and then disappeared, making it financially challenging for him to support her, thus leading to their divorce. The following year, Xie Mouduo married Wang Mouhu, and the abused boy Qiaoqiao (pseudonym) lived with them.
In early May 2023, Mr. Zhang discovered that his 10-year-old son, Jiao Jiao, had run away from home and gone missing. He posted multiple search messages on his social media platforms. The boy’s biological mother, Xie Mouduo, and stepfather, Wang Mouhu, also posted search notices and tearfully pleaded for help to find the child.
On May 8, 2023, the Linyi County Public Security Bureau in Shanxi issued a notice for cooperation stating that Xie Mouduo had reported her son, Zhang Mouqiao, missing from Xiadou Shi Village in Linjin Town, Linyi County. The Linyi police urged anyone with information to contact the Linyi County Public Security Bureau Criminal Investigation Detachment to receive a reward of 10,000 yuan.
On May 23, 2023, the Linyi County Public Security Bureau located the missing person Zhang Mouqiao, who was confirmed dead. The suspects Xie Mouduo and Wang Mouhu were apprehended by the Linyi County Public Security Bureau. The prosecution charged Xie Mouduo and Wang Mouhu with intentional injury and abuse offenses.
The indictment showed that on the day of the incident, the 10-year-old Zhang Mouqiao was repeatedly beaten by his biological mother, Xie Mouduo, and stepfather, Wang Mouhu, for an extended period. The victim suffered from ischemia, contusions, deformities, necrosis, leading to organ dysfunction and traumatic shock, ultimately resulting in death.
The prosecution argued that Wang Mouhu and Xie Mouduo were co-perpetrators, both playing significant roles in the crime and deemed as the main offenders. Charges of intentional injury and abuse were brought against them.
The indictment also revealed that Xie Mouduo and Wang Mouhu registered their marriage in February 2022 and subsequently subjected their son, Zhang Mouqiao, to long-term abuse over a period of more than a year.