VANCOUVER – Richmond RCMP have now released details in a case dating back to February, 2013.
In early February, two Richmond parents were woken to the sounds of their screaming seven-week-old baby. They did not know what was wrong with him but rushed him to the local hospital. As a doctor was examining him, he found a residue on his ears that smelled like chemicals. A hardened plastic-like substance was found to be covering the entrance to both of his ear canals and surgery was required to remove it.
The parents contacted Richmond RCMP and they discovered the substance, later identified as super glue, was deliberately put there.
On Dec. 5, 2014, Wei Wang, the 30-year-old aunt of the child, was convicted of one count of aggravated assault.
Richmond RCMP’s Serious Crimes Unit is pleased with the conviction.
“This was a bizarre, yet extremely sad case,” said Cpl. Chris Tarasoff. “There were many investigators involved and it was emotionally trying at times. We do have a message though; we have zero tolerance towards any types of crimes against children. These crimes will not be tolerated and we will investigate them to the full extent of the law. Fortunately, this young child will most likely make a full recovery and that is the best result we could have hoped for.”
Wang was sentenced to four months in jail and two years probation in December 2014.
Media reports from the time of the original allegations said family members of the child told police that the woman was worried she would lose out on a family inheritance because she had no sons.
Hwang said that in some Asian cultures the combination of government policy and cultural ideas means male babies are valued more highly than females.
“The jealousy is part and parcel because of someone else being able to conceive a male baby where she may or she may not have been able to,” he said.
Wang has two daughters.
Cpl. Chris Tarasoff, with the Richmond RCMP Serious Crimes Unit, said police have zero tolerance for any crime against a child.
“This was a bizarre, yet extremely sad case,” he said. “There were many investigators involved and it was emotionally trying at times.”
The likelihood the child will recover fully was the best result investigators could have hoped for, he said.
-with files from Canadian Press
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