Illustration: Luo Xuan/GT

"Ever since my son was diagnosed with autism, I have been suffering. His disorder, as well as the expensive treatment, pushed me to live in despair. Gradually, I became a misanthrope."

So said a man surnamed Yang in explaining why he lit charcoal in a hotel room and attempted to kill himself and his son. Yang was diagnosed with clinical depression in 2014. His mother died of cancer a year earlier and was followed by his father, who committed suicide, in 2014. His son's being diagnosed with autism and hypophrenia further compounded his anxiety. At the beginning of July 2015, Yang took his son into a hotel bathroom, taped the door shut, and lit the charcoal, but they were rescued by hotel staff because the fire alarm in the hotel went off in time. He was sued by the procuratorate on suspicion of intentional homicide. According to the Changping district court, Yang received a suspended two-year sentence. (Source: The Beijing Times)