Single mother struggles as both of her parents have intellectual disabilities and rely on welfare support
A two-year-old toddler from southeastern China survived for days on snacks after his 28-year-old mother died in their rental flat, sparking a national discussion and widespread sympathy online.
The tragedy unfolded on August 17 when police were alerted by a friend who, unable to reach the mother, Zheng Yu, for several days, went to check on her at her home in Cangnan county, Wenzhou, Zhejiang province.
Zheng was discovered dead inside her cluttered home, leaving her young son, nicknamed Mianmian, alone for an unknown number of days.
During this time, the toddler survived solely on whatever he could find – jellies, snacks, a gnawed pumpkin, and herbal tea – all scattered among the bedding in his mother’s 10-square-metre bedroom.
