Chinese kindergarten owner sentenced to life for poisoning children

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 01:02 · Archive

The owner of a kindergarten in northwest China has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of poisoning 247 children. Li Huifang, along with five additional staff members, was jailed for feeding toxic lead compounds to the children in her care. The Lanzhou Intermediate People's Court in Gansu Province delivered the sentences on Friday.

The kindergarten's principal Zhu Jinglin was sentenced to 15 years in jail and fined 300,000 yuan (A$65,000). Four kitchen workers were jailed for six to eight years for their involvement. Huifang had personal assets worth about 500,000 yuan (A$107,000) confiscated. The inedible, lead-containing pigments were added to food for visual appeal in promotional materials.

In July 2025, 247 students and more than 20 staff members of Heshi Peixin Kindergarten were found to have abnormally high blood lead levels following a provincial investigation. Students had shown symptoms consistent with heavy metal toxicity, including stomach pain, fatigue and developmental delays. High levels of lead exposure can damage a developing child's brain and nervous system.

How it is being reported

• Li Huifang: Chinese kindergarten owner jailed after poisoning 247 children with toxic additivesStaff behind a shocking plot to poison kindergarteners have been sentenced in court on Friday.Perth Now · 18 Oct, 00:25
• Li Huifang: Chinese kindergarten owner jailed after poisoning 247 children with toxic additivesStaff behind a shocking plot to poison kindergarteners have been sentenced in court on Friday.The West Australian · 18 Oct, 00:25

In this story: Li Huifang · Zhu Jinglin · Heshi Peixin Kindergarten · Lanzhou Intermediate People's Court · Gansu Province · World Health Organisation

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem