Girl in Taiwan, 21, dies after being locked in room with no food for several days by 'tiger mum'

A 21-year-old girl was found dead in her room after allegedly being confined to her room for several days by her mother.

The incident took place in Dajia District, Taichung.

Noticed a strong odour coming from daughter's room

According to local news media outlet Liberty Times, the incident came to light when the girl's father, surnamed Chen, noticed a strong odour coming from his daughter's bedroom on Thursday (Sep. 25).

He and his wife, surnamed Zhan, forced their way inside, only to find their daughter's lifeless body lying on the bed.

Citing local television network Videoland, Yahoo News reported that Chen later reported the incident to the police at around 9am that morning.

Upon arriving at the scene, police found his daughter's dead body slumped over on the bed.

Her body appeared emaciated and initial assessments suggested that she had been dead for some time.

Parents were listed as suspects

Liberty Times reported that although both parents initially claimed they had only just discovered their daughter's body that day and had seen her recently, police noted inconsistencies in their statements.

Due to the suspicious circumstances surrounding the case, the couple was later listed as suspects while an investigation into potential abuse or neglect was launched.

The police had also put in a formal request to the Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutor's Office for an autopsy to be conducted to determine the true cause of death, Yahoo News reported.

A special task force was also set up to conduct an in-depth investigation into the case.

Mother had allegedly locked her daughter in the room for several days without food

According to Liberty Times, Chen's daughter had reportedly dropped out of high school in her second year and had lived at home with her parents for many years.

Neighbours described Zhan as a "tiger mum" who was extremely strict and controlled her daughter's actions. Her husband is the sole breadwinner.

Upon further investigation, it was believed that the 50-year-old woman had deliberately locked her daughter in the room for several days.

During that time, though Zhan reportedly knocked on the door to offer food to her daughter. After receiving no response, she did not check further and did not provide any food.

As a result, this left her daughter with no food and she eventually starved to death.

Mother arrested

Liberty Times reported that Zhan was eventually arrested under Article 302 of Taiwan's Criminal Code.

The article reads:

"A person who without authority takes another into custody or by other illegal means deprives him of his freedom of movement shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years, short-term imprisonment, or a fine of not more than nine thousand dollars.

If death results from the commission of the offence, the offender shall be sentenced to life imprisonment or imprisonment for not less than seven years."

The prosecution also labelled Zhan a "flight risk", and expressed concern that she might destroy evidence and collude with witnesses.

As such, they requested that she be detained without contact. This request was approved on Friday morning (Sep. 26).

Meanwhile, Chen was released after questioning as authorities determined that he had no active involvement in the case.

Top photo via Canva, ETtoday via Sin Chew Daily