Chinese nursery owner sentenced to life for poisoning hundreds of children

A Chinese court has sentenced the owner of a private nursery to life imprisonment for orchestrating a scheme in which inedible paint was mixed into food served to children in her care, authorities said Tuesday. The defendant and five staff members were convicted of intentionally using the toxic substance to make meals appear more visually appealing to parents and administrators. The poisoning incident came to light after hundreds of children at the facility fell ill, prompting investigation by local health and law enforcement officials. While the exact number of affected children remains unclear from available reports, authorities confirmed the scope of the contamination was substantial, involving multiple students over an extended period. The case has raised serious questions about food safety oversight and regulatory compliance at private educational institutions across the country.