A mother who splashed hot water on her children during an emotional rage pled guilty to three charges, including ordinary assault, in court on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old woman, who goes by the initials L.S.Y., was in her Sha Tin home and quarreling with her husband over money on the phone, Apple Daily reported.
Using their own children as a pawn, the woman attempted to scare her husband into backing down, threatening to hurt their 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son if he refused to.
The children were watching television in the living room when they heard their mother entering the kitchen. Panicking, they ran into the bedroom, blocking the door with chairs and crouching under them while covering their bodies with a blanket and cushion.
The mother barged into the room with her phone in hand, turned on the camera, and poured hot water on her daughter as she demanded an answer from her husband.
She then went after her terrified son. With nowhere to hide, he ran into the bathroom, his mother splashing water on his back as he tried to escape.
Read more: Hong Kong couple convicted of murdering 5-year-old daughter
A neighbor who heard the children’s screams called the police, who said both kids were shivering and unable to talk clearly when they arrived. They were sent to the hospital.
The young boy, who stayed in the hospital for 13 days, suffered from a 20 cm by 20 cm second-degree burn on his back and a first-degree burn on his head. The girl was scalded on her head and shoulder.
Two days before the incident, the woman also splashed hot water on her son’s face because he was “eating too slowly.” Her husband had attempted to stop her.
After burn marks formed on her son’s face, the mother mocked him, saying “We have a ‘Wu Yen’ at home now.” Wu Yen is a Chinese historical character who is known for her ugliness.
The woman pleaded guilty to three charges in court Wednesday, including ordinary assault, intent to do grievous bodily harm, and intent and attempt to do grievous bodily harm to others.
The verdict will be delivered on April 28. The court is waiting for the release of the woman’s psychological and psychiatric report.
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