In a landmark ruling that has shocked the nation, a Chinese court has imposed the death penalty on a father convicted of deliberately poisoning his two young children. The Zunyi Intermediate People’s Court in Guizhou province delivered the verdict on Friday, December 26, 2025, following a thorough examination of the horrific case.
The convicted individual, Liu Zhongjie, received the maximum punishment after being found guilty of intentional homicide for administering a lethal insecticide to his own children. According to court documents, the tragic incident occurred amid unresolved marital conflicts between Liu and his spouse.
The court established that Liu exploited his parental relationship to manipulate his vulnerable children, aged 10 and 7, into consuming DDVP—a highly toxic pesticide. Judicial authorities emphasized that the defendant not only deceived the minors into ingesting the poisonous substance but also deliberately withheld medical assistance, resulting in their agonizing deaths.
In its first-instance judgment, the judiciary characterized Liu’s actions as particularly cruel and morally reprehensible, representing a fundamental violation of both ethical standards and legal principles. The ruling further noted that the severity of the crimes, combined with their devastating social impact, warranted the most severe punishment available under Chinese law.
Beyond the death sentence, the court additionally ordered the permanent deprivation of Liu’s political rights, reflecting the gravity of his offenses against society and the basic tenets of human decency. The case has sparked widespread discussion about parental responsibility, child protection laws, and appropriate punishment for crimes against vulnerable family members.