China today suspended a top ruling Communist Party official and two others for not taking prompt action against a drunk policeman who allegedly hurled a seven-month-old baby to the ground, injuring her severely.
The bureau chief, political commissar and deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Linzhou in central China's Henan Province were suspended after Guo Zengxi attacked a baby girl in an inebriated state, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The case caught public attention nearly a month later after Beijing-based newspaper 'The Mirror' reported it on Saturday.
The coverage prompted local authorities to set up an investigation team to look into Guo's alleged attack and potential mishandling of the case by local authorities.
On July 18, a couple went out for a walk after supper holding their seven-month-old daughter in their arms when Guo unexpectedly grabbed the infant, lifted her over his head and hurled her onto the ground after he had been drinking alcohol with friends, the report said.
The baby was immediately rushed to a hospital. Guo was also hospitalised after he was beaten up by the local people.
No charges were framed against Guo, though he was detained for 15 days.
The baby was treated for multiple brain injuries and discharged from Anyang Regional Hospital on August 5.
Ren Wenli, the baby's mother, said her daughter is easily startled and is afraid of strangers since the incident.
The girl has a bump on the back of her head and a doctor said she could suffer after-effects from the trauma.
Anyang police on Saturday detained Guo on suspicion of intentional injury, according to Guo Fajie, head of the public security bureau of Anyang city.
This is the second such incident of bashing the baby to the ground.
In July, a man killed a toddler here by lifting her from her carriage and throwing her onto the ground during a row with her mother over car parking space.
