The Kaikai Case | What Happened? Why Did It Happen? Key Information in One Place
Introduction
The "Kaikai (剴剴) case" at the end of 2023 — in which a young boy died after being abused by his home-based child care provider — resulted in the loss of a child’s life while he was receiving daily care as he awaited adoption. The case exposed serious breakdowns in Taiwan’s social safety net, including gaps in the vulnerable family services, adoption services, and home-based child care services.
The Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) understands the profound shock and distrust this incident has caused for Kaikai's family and for society. In response, we have prepared this statement to provide a clear account of the facts of the case that are currently publicly verifiable, along with the review and reform measures we have already begun to undertake.
Through concrete and verifiable information, we hope to respond to public concern while also making clear that, since 2023, CWLF has implemented a range of improvements to its professional systems based on recommendations from the government and experts.
Contents
What Happened in the Kaikai Case? A Complete Timeline
2022Kaikai was born in New Taipei City in 2022. His biological father was out of contact, and his biological mother indicated that she was unable to care for him because she was involved in a criminal case. His maternal grandmother was also unable to provide stable long-term care. As a result, the New Taipei City Government Social Welfare Center opened a case under the Vulnerable Family Services program and referred the case to CWLF for adoption services. During this period, the adoption process was temporarily suspended after the biological mother lost contact. It resumed only after the New Taipei City Social Welfare Center helped the maternal grandmother obtain guardianship and referred the case to CWLF again for adoption services.
2023
Starting on September 1, 2023, Kaikai was placed in the care of a home-based child care provider in partnership with CWLF. At the time, CWLF referred Kaikai to Ms. Liu, a home-based child care provider who held a Home-Based Child Care Service Registration Certificate and was subject to supervision and oversight through the government-regulated home-based child care system. She was responsible for Kaikai's daily care.
In the early hours of December 24 of the same year, Kaikai stopped breathing and lost cardiac activity at the child care provider's home. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be revived. Medical personnel found multiple old and new injuries across his body, as well as damaged teeth and other signs of suspected child abuse. They immediately reported the case to the competent authority in accordance with child protection reporting procedures.
2024
In early 2024, prosecutors indicted the Liu sisters on charges including maltreatment resulting in death and offenses against freedom. They were subsequently detained, and their detention was later extended. The case formally entered criminal proceedings.
In addition to the home-based child care provider, prosecutors and investigators re-designated a CWLF social worker as a criminal defendant in March 2024. In August 2024, prosecutors indicted the social worker on charges including negligent homicide and making false entries in the course of professional duties.
2025
In April 2025, the tribunal with citizen judges of the Taipei District Court began hearing the part of the case involving the home-based child care provider. After multiple hearings and witness testimony, the court issued its first-instance judgment on May 13, 2025, sentencing the home-based child care provider, Tsai-Hsuan Liu, to life imprisonment and deprivation of citizen’s rights for life, and sentencing her younger sister, Jou-Lin Liu, to 18 years in prison.
At the same time, the Taipei District Court also held multiple hearings in the part of the case involving the CWLF social worker.
Also in 2025, the Control Yuan issued an investigative report concluding that Kaikai was fatally abused even while three systems were simultaneously in operation: CWLF's Adoption Services, New Taipei City's Vulnerable Family Services, and Taipei City's Home-Based Child Care Services. The Control Yuan therefore issued corrective measures against the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the New Taipei City Government, and the Taipei City Government.
2026
On January 27, 2026, the Taiwan High Court issued its second-instance ruling, upholding the heavy sentences imposed in the first instance: The home-based child care provider, Tsai-Hsuan Liu, was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Jou-Lin Liu to 18 years in prison. The court also ordered an extension of their detention. The case may still be appealed to the Supreme Court.
During subsequent hearings in the case involving the social worker in January 2026, the court summoned witnesses including a dentist, a home-based child care visiting and support specialist, and the chief of the Welfare Services for Women and Child Care Centers of the Taipei City Department of Social Welfare.
Court proceedings indicated that, in accordance with organizational requirements, the social worker conducted monthly home visits. When signs of concern appeared, the social worker not only asked the child care provider about the reasons, but also followed up on the child's medical visits and outcomes. Because the child was also assessed as possibly experiencing difficulties adjusting to the new environment or the effects of past trauma, the social worker began preparing to connect the child with play therapy resources.
The defense argued that the social worker had fulfilled her professional responsibilities at the time, but was unable to detect the abuse because the child care provider had deliberately concealed it. The defense also noted that a home-based child care visiting and support specialist, a dentist, and a pediatrician had all been in contact with the child during that period and had not identified signs of suspected child abuse.
On April 16, 2026, the Taipei District Court issued its first-instance judgment in the case involving the social worker. The court found the social worker not guilty on the charge of making false entries in the course of professional duties and sentenced the social worker to two years in prison for negligent homicide.
CWLF's Apology and Reform Measures
In the face of Kaikai's death, CWLF extends our deepest apologies to Kaikai, his family, and the public.
No apology can bring back a child's life. But we must acknowledge this: the social safety net failed Kaikai. As one part of that system, CWLF did not meet society's expectations. We also let down those who have long placed their trust in us. For this, we are deeply sorry.
Since the Kaikai case, we have received oversight and reminders from many sectors of society, and we have actively undertaken an internal review of our systems and begun making changes. Going forward, we will continue to respond to public expectations of CWLF, comprehensively examine our current shortcomings, and pursue ongoing improvement.
Following our review, we have implemented three major reform measures:
- Risk Reassessment: In medium to high-risk cases, a supervisor or senior social worker is assigned to accompany the frontline social worker during home visits. This protocol is implemented to mitigate the risk of bias stemming from individual subjective judgments. For cases involving children under the age of six, an additional senior supervisor, distinct from the primary supervisor, is tasked with conducting a risk reassessment and discussing the intervention strategy.
- Concerning Signs Assessment: When a child is injured or displays concerning signs, a joint assessment is conducted by two supervisors to evaluate the risk and determine the appropriate course of action. If necessary, external experts, such as medical professionals, are consulted to aid in the assessment.
- Child Abuse Recognition: At CWLF, all social workers undergo regular training in recognizing child abuse to strengthen their ability to identify.
The Kaikai case is a tragedy we can never undo and a loss we can never make right.
Going forward, CWLF will put in place more rigorous and comprehensive protective measures and continue to advocate for policy improvements so that similar tragedies do not happen again.
We will also move forward with even greater care and caution, doing everything we can to protect the more than 9,000 children and adolescents we currently serve. Through the commitment of every member of our staff, we will continue working to build a better future for children and families.