A YOUNG mother was recently given a jail term of eight months after being found guilty of accidentally killing her 2-year-old daughter last year, the Daily Sunshine reported yesterday.

The woman, only identified by her last name Gao, was detained on manslaughter charges July 12 last year after her daughter died of brain injuries.

The little girl, who was found to have bruises all over her body, was taken to hospital for treatment after she fell and lost consciousness July 3.

Earlier media reports said that Gao, infuriated because her daughter's spilt milk on the bed, beat her on the head. She then pushed her daughter off the bed.

    Gao reportedly became prone to bouts of senseless violence after her husband left home without notice in April 2007 and never returned. Her husband allegedly abandoned the family because he could no longer stand Gao who often lost her temper.

The girl's death, which attracted a great deal of media attention, occurred just a month after another woman killed her daughter because the girl could not count.

Many sociologists in the city are concerned about violence against children.

They say Shenzheners face greater pressure from work and life than residents of many other mainland cities. According to the experts, parents are likely to resort to violence against their children when under extreme pressure.

(Wei Jie)