A father in China has come under intense scrutiny after his naked toddler was found inside an iron cage on a tricycle, sparking widespread outrage online. The incident, which took place in Hainan province on 16 June, saw several naked young children gathered around a red tricycle, with one child enclosed in a metal cage. A passer-by recorded the distressing scene, expressing concern over the child’s safety under the sweltering sun and questioning the parents’ judgement.
Fearing possible abuse or even child trafficking, bystanders quickly alerted local police. Authorities identified the father as a man surnamed Diao, originally from Henan province in central China. He explained that his wife, Yang, suffers from a cognitive disability and that the couple have six children. The family, who live in a modified double-decker tricycle, travel across China taking on odd jobs to make ends meet.
Diao told police he had left four of his children on the tricycle while he ate at a nearby restaurant because he could not simultaneously manage his wife and their many children. He insisted that the children were naked to avoid overheating in the humid summer weather.
Father Defends Cage as a Safety Measure
According to Diao, the iron cage — usually used to store clothing — was placed in front of the children to prevent them from accidentally falling off the tricycle. He claimed that one of his toddlers had crawled into the cage while playing and that it was never locked. Police reports confirmed there were no signs of intentional abuse.
Authorities quickly intervened, relocating the family to a local relief centre for temporary shelter and medical examinations. Health checks showed the children were in good physical condition, and both parents were described as emotionally stable. Social workers from the local Disabled Persons’ Federation and Women’s Federation provided the family with necessities such as clothes, shoes, and toys for the children.
The police have since instructed Diao to exercise better parental care and to avoid extreme measures that could jeopardise his children’s safety. Local authorities arranged ferry transportation to help the family return to their hometown in Henan province.
Incident Sparks National Debate on Parenting Standards
The video of the incident quickly went viral on Chinese social media, amassing over 60 million views and igniting a heated debate about parenting standards in China. Many netizens condemned the father’s actions, arguing that the children were subjected to unacceptable living conditions. Others highlighted the broader issue of allowing individuals with significant cognitive disabilities, like Diao’s wife, to raise large families without proper support.
This incident is not an isolated case in China. Reports of children suffering injuries or death due to parental neglect are frequent. For example, on 15 June, a three-year-old girl in another city narrowly escaped tragedy after being accidentally locked in a hot car, only to be rescued by quick-thinking secondary school students.
Cases like these have fuelled calls for stronger child protection policies and more support for families in vulnerable situations. Experts stress the importance of public awareness on child safety and parental responsibility to prevent future tragedies.