Video of man assaulting toddler sparks outrage in China

A security video showing a man stomping on the head and hand of a toddler has sparked outrage in China.

In the video, two-year-old Li Zhexu is first seen playing with a broom and dustpan unsupervised outside a restaurant in Yan'an, Shaanxi province when the man, Wang Jiaolong, walks down the street and kicks him in the head.

After the toddler falls, Wang repeatedly stamps on his hand and head, and even picks up the broom and dustpan to beat the child.

During his assault, other pedestrians can be seen walking by, but none of them stop Wang. It is only 35 seconds later that a group rushes out of the restaurant to push him away and offer help.

The boy was hospitalised for skull fractures, but is currently is stable condition, reported Shanghaiist.

Wang was later arrested by police and reported to be suffering from schizophrenia. However, netizens were unsympathetic to his medical condition, calling for him to receive the death sentence.

andrewg@sph.com.sg