An 81-year-old woman in Taiwan, overwhelmed by years of caring for her son who was severely mentally challenged, paralyzed, and bedridden, used a red envelope to suffocate him as a way to end their mutual suffering.
The local court sentenced the elderly woman to two years and six months in prison for domestic violence and murder. According to CTi News, the incident occurred in May 2023 when Ms. Lin, the elderly mother, took advantage of a temporary absence by the caretaker to place a red envelope with a denomination of 10,000 New Taiwan dollars into her son's mouth. She then used a bib to cover his nose and mouth, sealing it with tape, which led to his death by suffocation.
Later, when the caretaker returned to the room, she found the elderly woman sitting on the bed in a daze, tears streaming down her face, and promptly notified other family members and the police. Investigations revealed that the deceased was the woman's youngest son, who had been suffering from severe mental disability and cerebral palsy, bedridden for over 50 years.
It is understood that the elderly woman had been personally taking care of the child without interruption. However, in recent years, her health deteriorated, and after contracting COVID-19 in 2023, her physical condition significantly weakened. She also had to care for her 90-year-old husband who had suffered a stroke.
The substantial cost of hiring a caregiver became burdensome, leading the elderly woman to resort to an extreme method to end her son's life. The incident occurred on the eve of Mother’s Day. The court sentenced her to two years and six months in prison for domestic violence and murder, and the case is still subject to appeal.