Chinese grandparents let court jail granddaughter for stealing US$3,000 to teach her a lesson
An elderly Chinese couple successfully had their granddaughter jailed for six months after she repeatedly stole money and valuables from them. The case has sparked a heated public debate in China regarding the balance between legal discipline and traditional family values.
Why it matters
It highlights shifting social norms in China regarding intergenerational accountability and the role of the legal system in resolving domestic disputes.
BEIJING: An elderly Chinese couple reported their granddaughter to the police after she took 20,000 yuan (US$3,000) and a gold bracelet from their home without permission, igniting intense discussions online.
The woman, identified by her surname Chen and hailing from northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, received a six-month jail sentence for theft, along with a fine of 2,000 yuan, according to the Legal Daily on Sept 1.
Chen had taken the money and jewellery from her grandparents while her grandfather was napping at home.
Subsequently, she sold the gold bracelet for over 27,000 yuan and squandered the entire amount.
Even during her trial, she maintained that she should be acquitted of all charges, stating: “It is my grandparents’ money that I took. They will forgive me and won’t hold me accountable. This is our family matter.”
However, the elderly couple opted not to grant her forgiveness.
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