"My Husband Abandoned Me": Husband Sells Home and Disappears, Stirring SNS Outrage... Wife Files for Divorce

Deceived Paralyzed Wife to Sell Home, Fled with 200 Million Won
"Husband Chose Prison Over Fulfilling His Responsibilities"

In China, controversy has arisen after a husband deceived his wife, who was left paralyzed due to a rare disease, persuaded her to sell their home, and then fled with 200 million won. He has been sentenced to 10 months in prison.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong reported on the case involving a woman named Lin from Jiangsu Province, China, and her husband, Chang.

Lin had previously worked as a tour guide, but in 2017, during the fourth year of her marriage, she suddenly experienced symptoms of lower body paralysis. Her condition rapidly worsened, and she eventually became completely paralyzed due to a rare central nervous system disorder, leaving her dependent on a wheelchair.

During this time, Chang persuaded Lin to sell their house, valued at about 1 million yuan (approximately 200 million won), saying it would help with living expenses. However, after receiving the money, he disappeared, leaving Lin behind. Lin filed a lawsuit at the Nanjing court, stating, "My husband abandoned me."

A husband in China who deceived his wife suffering from a rare disease, sold her, embezzled money, and fled was sentenced to 10 months in prison for abandonment. Photo by South China Morning Post (SCMP)

After five years on the run, Chang was arrested at the end of 2022. In March 2023, the court sentenced him to 10 months in prison for abandonment. Lin commented, "Instead of fulfilling his responsibilities, my husband chose to go to prison," and filed for divorce, which the court approved.

The local prosecutor's office provided Lin, who was facing financial difficulties, with 65,000 yuan (about 12 million won) as judicial assistance.

This case has sparked significant controversy on Chinese online communities and social networking services (SNS). Netizens criticized the sentence, saying, "Ten months is too light for someone who abandons a paralyzed wife for life," and "A person like this deserves a punishment heavier than prison."

On the other hand, some argued, "If the house was registered in the husband's name before marriage, there may be no legal issue."

Meanwhile, similar cases of spouses abandoning their partners during illness have continued to occur in China. Last year, in Anhui Province, a man who disappeared after abandoning his wife just two months after marriage when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer was sentenced to one year in prison.