Authorities in Yunnan Province have concluded an investigation into the case of a 3-year-old boy, nicknamed Pingping, who was filmed crawling naked at a highway service area in Shimian County, Sichuan Province. The video, which went viral online, sparked widespread concern and allegations of child abuse or trafficking. However, the probe found no evidence of mistreatment, illegal activity, or profit-making. The boy is reported to be in stable health and living safely with his parents. The incident occurred on October 15 during a family road trip. Following the video’s circulation, local authorities in Nanjian County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, where the family resides, launched an investigation alongside provincial officials. The family was located in Sichuan on October 18 and persuaded to return home by October 21. Medical professionals conducted thorough physical and psychological assessments, confirming that both children were unharmed. Pingping has since adapted well to daily routines, as observed by a local caregiver who has been accompanying him since mid-October. Videos from a nearby kindergarten show him playing and laughing with other children. Officials also verified that Pingping and his younger brother are the biological children of their parents, surnamed Li and Wan. The couple, who have not yet registered their marriage, have now received official birth certificates for the boys, and local authorities are processing their household registration. Li explained that Pingping had eczema and sometimes disliked wearing clothes in warm weather, adding that the boy’s crawling behavior was a playful imitation of the family’s pet dog.
