LookAtVietnam – A 34-year-old man has been charged with torturing a nine-month old baby in the Mekong Delta’s Dong Thap Province’s Lai Vung District.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with torturing a nine-month old baby in the Mekong Delta’s Dong Thap Province’s Lai Vung District.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with torturing a nine-month old baby in the Mekong Delta’s Dong Thap Province. (Photo: Tuoi Tre)

Le Thanh Tam, the baby’s stepfather, has been taken into custody, according to local police.

District police chief Le Xuan Vang said the case was discovered by Tam’s neighbours, and both Tam and his wife, the baby’s mother, Nguyen Thi Xuan Lan, admitted to the crime.

It was alleged that Tam filmed the baby being physically abused on several occasions. The evidence is being kept by police for further investigation.

Vang said up to four people could face prosecution for their alleged involvement in the abuse.

Dr Nguyen Van Ve of Dong Thap Province where the baby is being treated said it would take the baby girl a long time to recover from her injuries.

Apart from bruises all over her body, the baby was found to have serious ulcerated wounds on the sole of her foot and on her knee, which resembled burns.

The case is under further investigation.

According to the Criminal Code, individuals who tortured others could face prison sentences of three months to three years, said lawyer Nguyen Thai Hoa, head of the Song Huong Law Office in Ha Noi.

“Individuals who deliberately torture others, with their actions resulting in injury, damage to health, death or especially serious consequences will face prison sentences of between five to 20 years or life imprisonment, depending on the nature of the crime,” he said.

In June this year, a couple in the southern province of Ca Mau were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for intentionally causing the physical injury of a 14-year-old boy, with an additional three years for torture.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs reported that more than 5,956 cases of child abuse were discovered between 2008 and 2009.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News