The child care facility where the five-year-old mentally-disabled boy died. VNA/VNS Photo

GIA LAI — Authorities in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai have launched investigation into the death of a mentally-disabled boy who died of suspected violence.

According to the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, at about 2.30pm on September 1, the boy’s mother reported to the local police that her son, born in 2019, was the victim of violence at a child care facility at 57 Trần Nhật Duật Street in Pleiku City.

The five-year-old was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment after suffering a cardiac and respiratory arrest. He also suffered from distended abdomen, had scratches on the forehead, petechiae around the eyelids and bruises on his chin.

He died at 3pm the same day.

The boy was unable to speak due to his mental disability and was sent by his family to the private foster care facility managed by Phạm Thị Hồng.

The child care facility does not have a license to establish a private social protection facility, said the police.

It was ordered to be closed after the incident.

The facility has been closed pending further investigation.

The provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs asked the city People’s Committee and relevant units to investigate and impose stiffened sanctions on those found to have committed illegal acts.

Authorities have been requested to classify and make a list of parents/relatives of disabled children being cared at the facility.

Children who have unidentified parents or relatives will be taken to the Gia Lai Provincial Social Protection Centre or the provincial SOS Village. — VNS