Taiwan Cram School Driver Jailed for Leaving Child in Van, Causing Trauma

A cram school driver in Taichung, Taiwan, has been sentenced to 20 days in jail, with the option to pay a fine, for leaving a 7-year-old boy locked inside a van. The incident occurred when the driver, identified only as He, was responsible for transporting four children to the school.

According to the court ruling, on December 5, 2023, driver He arrived at the cram school with four students. He proceeded to escort three children into the building, completely forgetting about the 7-year-old boy who was seated in the front passenger seat, closest to the driver.

It was only when a teacher at the cram school noticed one student was missing that the group realized the boy had been left behind in the vehicle. The driver rushed back to retrieve the child, but approximately eight minutes had passed since the van was parked. Although the boy did not suffer physical injuries, the ordeal left him with significant psychological trauma.

Following the incident, the child was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with anxiety and acute stress disorder. The boy's parents filed a lawsuit against the driver. He admitted to his oversight, and the facts were corroborated by surveillance footage, child protection reports, and medical records. The court found that the driver failed to exercise the necessary duty of care, a critical responsibility for those transporting children. While acknowledging his admission of guilt and lack of prior offenses, the court noted that no settlement or compensation had been reached with the child's family. Consequently, He was convicted of negligent injury.