The parents of a three-year-old girl say she has been smoking and drinking like an adult ever since she was involved a road accident.
Ya Wen lives in a shelter with her parents who collect and sell garbage for money in Huizhou in southern China's Fujian province.
Her mother, Gao, says Ya Wen is now addicted to cigarettes and will also down glasses of beer whenever she gets the chance.
Gao said her daughter's personality changed when she was knocked down by a speeding van last year, reports the Yangcheng Evening Post.
"The first time I found her smoking was in the toilet," said Gao. "Before that I often saw cigarette butts in the toilet but thought they were my husband's until I saw my daughter smoking there."
The family had tried to stop her smoking but she kept stealing cigarettes from her father and buying them on credit from a neighbouring store.
The store owner confirmed that Ya Wen often came over and took one or two packs away: "We didn't ask, thinking she was buying for her father," he explained.
Ya Wen's father has now stopped smoking to set a better example for his daughter and the family have moved to the other side of the city.
But Gao said the little girl still cried for cigarettes whenever she saw them: "She also likes drinking. Three glasses of beer is no problem to her," she added.
Doctors in Huizhou Central People's Hospital believe head injuries suffered by Ya Wen in her accident may be to blame for her actions.
"Another possibility is that she is just imitating adults," added one doctor.
Source: orange news
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
2 mins -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
2 mins -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
18 mins -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
18 mins -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
43 mins -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
43 mins -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
44 mins -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
1 hour -
Perception issues affecting Supreme Court – Nii Armah Addy
2 hours -
Armed men bolt with cash at Adabraka market in dramatic daylight robbery
2 hours -
Bawku Conflict: National Security fully aware of events – Bawku Naaba’s lawyer
2 hours -
Dodome to celebrate festival in a bid to construct traditional council facility
2 hours -
Bawku conflict: We’re playing with fire, gov’t must stamp its authority – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
Supreme Court under Akufo-Addo is acting supranational – Tony Aidoo
2 hours -
Israeli Ambassador Designate tours Jewish education centres in Ghana
3 hours