Boy, 12, can't speak after being locked up with insane mum for 8 years

A 12-year-old boy in Shandong, China is unable to speak properly after being locked in the house with his mentally unstable mother for eight years.

According to NetEase, both mother and son are considered to be "crazy" by other residents in their village.

For the past eight years, the father, Yuan Liangquan, would lock his son and his wife inside the house when he had to leave for work to prevent the boy from running away.

As a result, the boy, Yuan Jiankang, is unable to speak or converse properly due to a lack of communication and education.

According to Shanghaiist, the boy does not have any playmates because other villagers banned their children from interacting with him.

He is unable to look after himself, and is totally dependent on his father.

He also drinks directly from a sewage container when he becomes thirsty.

But with the help of the local government and some kind residents, Mr Yuan does not need to lock his son up anymore, as the boy was recently accepted into a mental disability centre, reported Shanghaiist.

seanyap@sph.com.sg