(Photo/Weibo)
In China's latest child-abuse case, police in a southeastern city are looking into allegations that a kindergarten teacher stapled a toddler's ear.
The incident came to the fore on Monday, when a parent told an online forum that his/her four-year-old son had complained of ear pain when taking a bath. The child later said that his teacher had pricked a staple into his ear during noon break.
Pictures on microblog Sina Weibo show the child crying in pain after doctors removed the staple. A medical record posted on Weibo reveals that the child's left ear had been stabbed by a staple.
The county education bureau confirmed the allegation on Tuesday, adding that the suspect is in police custody. Further investigation is underway, and local authorities promised stiff penalties for whoever is found guilty.
Representatives of the kindergarten and the local education authorities have apologized to the child's family, according to the education bureau.
