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Social media accounts of Yunnan government in Southwest China reposted an investigative report by Yunnan Daily on the “naked child incident,” where a viral video footage caught a three-year-old crawling at a highway service area naked last month, triggering online concern over the child’s safety. The report concluded that no sign of abuse or human trafficking was found. 

A child Pingping (alias), together with his younger brother An’an (alias), who was traveling with his family from Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, was captured by other tourists on October 15 being naked and crawling at a service area along the Yaxi Expressway in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The footage sparked heated online discussions and raised public concerns about whether the child had been trafficked or abused. 

Reporters from Yunnan Daily recently went to Nanjian county in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan, to conduct an investigation into this case. 

A local official from Nanjian county told the reporters that on October 16, Dali Prefecture and Nanjian county formed a joint task force to conduct a comprehensive investigation under the guidance of relevant provincial authorities. On October 17, the team traveled to Sichuan to locate the family, including the father surnamed Li, the mother surnamed Wan, and found them around on October 18. After persuasion, the family returned to Nanjian county together with the work group on October 21. 

The joint work group then arranged proper accommodation for the family and assigned a 14-member professional team to accompany and assist them. Meanwhile, it launched an investigation in accordance with the law. Medical staff conducted full physical and mental health assessments of the parents and their two children, while specialists provided patient, in-person family education guidance. Police probed potential crimes, including trafficking or abuse. 

On November 8, Pingping’s father, Li, accepted his first media interview, thanking the public for their concern for his children. He said his family is confident and capable of raising and educating their children well and hopes the public controversy will soon subside. 

In response to the main concerns widely discussed online, Yunnan Daily conducted interviews with the children’s parents, relatives, neighbors, members of the task force and relevant authorities. 
A staff member from Nanjian Civil Affairs surnamed Wang said Pingping has improved noticeably. He is now accustomed to wearing clothes and shoes and has become more willing to interact with others. The child was initially wary of strangers, but once he became familiar, he was lively and cheerful. He is quick to respond, speaks clearly, shows care for others, and enjoys sharing snacks with others. 

In response to questions whether the child was the biological offspring of Li and Wan, and why hasn’t his household registrations been completed, the task force team said Li, 34, is from Nanjian county in Dali Prefecture. He holds a university degree, and works as a freelancer. His mother, Wan, 43, is from Beijing, also with a university degree and freelance occupation. After the family returned to Nanjian on October 21, police conducted DNA tests confirming that Li and Wan are the biological parents of the two children.

In regards with why the child stayed naked and crawled on the ground and whether the parents did not dress their children, Li said that Pingping has a history of eczema and dislikes wearing clothes in warm weather, but he would dress himself when feeling cold and he has not fallen ill from coldness. 

The task force also found that Li and Wan dislike interacting with the outside world and often travel by car, so Pingping has had limited contact with other children. His main playmate is the family’s pet dog. 

A member of the joint task force told reporters that imitation is a child’s nature. While Pingping was playing with the pet dog, he imitated crawling. Wan did not intervene or discipline the child’s behavior, and Li also followed Wan’s advice and did not intervene.

In response to public concerns about whether the child was abused by the parents, relatives of Li and several villagers stated that Li and Wan have a close relationship with their children, have never physically abused them, and the children have never been separated from their parents since birth. 

On October 21, local medical teams conducted comprehensive exams on both children, including physical check-ups, blood tests, and ultrasounds (abdominal, cardiac, and external genital). Results showed no signs of physical harm. 

The joint work team told the reporters that based on police investigations, witness statements, medical assessments, and daily behavior observations, it is confirmed that Li and Wan have not abused their children. 

Medical reports showed Pingping’s body index is within the normal range for 3-year-olds according to the 2024 national child growth standards. Imaging tests showed no deformities in his limbs or spine, and joint mobility is normal. Observations indicate that he walks normally, is mentally alert, and responds quickly. His younger brother, An’an, is healthy and developing normally.

Local medical teams also conducted physical and mental health evaluations of Li and Wan, which shows the father is physically healthy with normal mental and psychological status while the mother is reluctant to socialize or communicate with others.

Police found no evidence show that Li and Wan have “illegally profited online.” Their income comes from savings from previously running a guesthouse, farming and livestock activities, and support from their parents. 

According to a relative of Li, the family is well-off and has sufficient means to meet their living needs. 

Li and Wan acknowledged their shortcomings and has issued a public apology. Experts from the family education and volunteer service task team stated that they will create health records for the two children and continue to monitor their well-being, according to the Yunnan Daily report. 

Global Times