A Beijing nursery is under investigation following allegations that staff injected toddlers with unknown substances and fed them drugs, sparking widespread outrage in China. The nursery is a branch of RYB Education, a well-known early childhood education chain listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Parents reported discovering needle marks on their children and claimed they were given pills or syrup before naptime. One father told state broadcaster CCTV that his child said they received two white pills daily after lunch and were told to 'go to sleep'. Some parents also alleged sexual abuse, saying children were stripped naked.
Three teachers have been suspended, and police have seized CCTV footage. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Education announced a comprehensive security check of all nurseries in the capital. RYB Education issued a statement apologising for causing 'severe disquiet' and pledged to cooperate with authorities.
The case has reignited concerns over childcare standards in China, following similar incidents in Shanghai and Wuhan. Social media users expressed outrage, with many calling for heavier punishments. Some accused authorities of covering up the issue, noting censorship of related search terms on Sina Weibo.
Police have reportedly confirmed that the marks on the children are consistent with needle punctures. The incident has drawn tens of thousands of comments online, with many demanding fuller explanations and accountability.
