Kid won't eat? Problem SOLVED!

Apr 16, 2025, 12:13 PM

An Aiken County woman allegedly taped her son's hands over his mouth after he refused to eat.

North Augusta Department of Public Safety officers arrested Ziqing Wu, 34, of North Augusta, on April 12 according to an Aiken County detention center booking report.

At around 9 p.m., officers responded to a Chinese restaurant on Martintown Road.

Wu had yelled at and occasionally struck her son for not eating, a woman told Sgt. K.H. Golden. But, the woman added she did not feel Wu had gone beyond reasonable discipline, Golden continued.

The woman said after Wu's son continued to refuse to eat, Wu took the child to the kitchen, came back to the front of the restaurant and retrieved tape, Golden added.

The woman said she went to the kitchen and saw the child's hands had been taped over his mouth with clear packing tape, Golden continued. The woman provided officers a picture of the child with the tape, Golden said.

Wu had taken the child home but returned at the officer's request.

The child responded, "no," when asked if he was OK, Golden continued. The child stared at Wu as if he wasn't sure what to say when asked for more information, Golden said.

Wu was read her Miranda warning but continued speaking, Golden said.

Wu said the child was not eating when asked why the child's hands were taped to his face, Golden continued. Wu said she taped the child when asked who did, Golden added.

"... Wu made numerous spontaneous utterances concerning her frustration over the child never eating," Golden said.

Wu said she was from China when asked, Golden said. She said "no" when asked it was permitted for a child's hands to be taped over their mouth in China, Golden said.

Wu has been charged with cruelty to children.

Cruelty to children is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in prison or a fine of up to $200.

Aiken County Magistrate Lauren Maurice set a $465 cash bond April 13 according to court records.

Wu was released from the Aiken County detention center the same day.

A hearing has been scheduled for April 30.

A person suspecting that a child is being abused should contact 911 if it's a life-threatening emergency. A person can make a non-emergency report at 1-888-CARE4US or via the South Carolina Department of Social Services website.