Child abuse guilty pleas in wasabi sniff case

Eight people accused of child abuse at an in-house day care center ran by online tourism giant Ctrip appeared in the Changning District People’s Court yesterday.

A woman surnamed Zheng, who was in charge of the facility, and seven others including teachers and nurses, were brought to trial.

Prosecutors told the court that between August and November 2017, the seven staff forced children to smell spicy wasabi and daub it on the skin of other children. The staff also pushed, pulled and hit the children.

Instead of stopping them, Zheng ordered staff to “teach the children lessons” for supposed misbehavior. All eight were charged with abusing people under their care.

Prosecutors asked the court to grant lighter sentences to the seven staff as they had either confessed or handed themselves in to police.

All eight have admitted their guilt, expressed regret and apologized to the parents and society.

The court has yet to decide on a verdict.