TAOYUAN, TAIWAN — The Taiwan High Court has upheld the conviction and 20-year prison sentence of 28-year-old Deng Ruhui, who was found guilty of arson, intimidation, and the intentional murder of a child. The case, which stemmed from a tragic domestic dispute in 2023, shocked the public due to its brutality and the death of an innocent 3-year-old girl.
Background of the Crime
Deng, a factory worker in an electronics company, had been in a relationship with a woman surnamed You, aged 32, for nearly two years. The couple had been living together with You’s daughter—born from a previous relationship—in Daxi District, Taoyuan City, since September 2020. However, the relationship deteriorated, allegedly due to Deng’s suspicion that You had rekindled ties with her ex-boyfriend.
On February 7, 2023, Deng confronted You, leading to a heated argument. Enraged, Deng poured gasoline on You and around her bed, then set the room on fire using a lighter. The blaze engulfed the home rapidly. While You managed to escape temporarily to the first floor to extinguish the flames on her body, her young daughter was trapped inside the burning third-floor room.
When You attempted to return upstairs to save her child, Deng allegedly physically restrained her, preventing the rescue. The fire resulted in the death of the child, while You suffered second- and third-degree burns on 90% of her body.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Following an investigation, Deng was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including intentional homicide of a child by an adult, attempted murder, arson of an occupied residence, and intimidation. Prosecutors also noted that Deng had sent threatening messages to You before the incident, including one stating, “I will burn your whole family to death.”
During the trial at the Taoyuan District Court, Deng admitted to the arson but denied intent to intimidate and claimed that some of her messages were sent in jest. She also denied stopping You from rescuing her daughter.
The Taoyuan District Court sentenced Deng to 59 days of detention for intimidation and 20 years in prison for intentional homicide and arson. The court emphasized that Deng’s actions had caused not only loss of life but immense physical and emotional trauma to the mother and long-term financial burdens due to medical expenses and property damage.
Deng’s background was considered during sentencing. She was raised by her grandparents and exhibited impulsive behaviors from a young age. The court noted that with long-term psychological counseling and support from her godmother, there was a possibility for rehabilitation.
High Court Ruling and Rejected Appeal
The Taiwan High Court reviewed the case after the prosecutor appealed, arguing that the original judgment was too lenient and failed to acknowledge that Deng had intentionally restrained You from saving her child.
However, the High Court ruled that the lower court’s findings were legally sound and supported by evidence. The panel rejected the appeal, affirming that while the crime was heinous, the first instance court had appropriately applied the law in both conviction and sentencing.
Public Reaction and Reflection
The case has reignited conversations in Taiwan about domestic violence, mental health, and the protection of children in family and non-traditional household settings. Legal experts and the public alike have expressed grief over the child’s death and called for more robust social intervention systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
As Deng begins her 20-year prison term, the tragedy remains a painful reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked rage and domestic conflict.
