A couple in south China's Guangdong Province are being investigated over claims they beat their six-year-old daughter, burned her with lighters, poured hot water on her and tried to suffocate her.
Police and the women's federation in Houjie Town of Dongguan City are both involved in the case, yesterday's Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
The girl's father, surnamed Chen, told the newspaper they suspected the girl was ill and had tried four times to have her adopted but she was always sent back. He told the paper he beat the girl to "correct her behavior."
But a social worker said the girl could be autistic - a condition requiring special care and treatment, not beating.
