WorldSPECIAL REPORT

Nursery owner in China jailed for life after hundreds of children…

The owner and five staff members were found to have put inedible paint in children's meals to make the food look more appealing, a case closely followed across Asia.

On air: Hank Ledger, Brock Thunderson and Dale Bearman on Weekend Edition
Published 8:34 AM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

▶ As it aired · World

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger, Brock Thunderson and Dale Bearman on this story, from Weekend Edition at 8:34 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are BBC's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance

First reported by BBC: “Nursery owner in China jailed for life after hundreds of children poisoned”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 8:34 AM ET on Weekend Edition, by Hank Ledger, Brock Thunderson and Dale Bearman.
Topics: China.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

BBCNursery owner in China jailed for life after hundreds of children poisoned

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA court in China has sentenced a nursery owner to life in prison after hundreds of children were poisoned at her school.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe BBC reports that she and five staff members were found to have used inedible paint in the children's meals to make the food look more appealing.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe case has been followed closely across Asia, because it goes to a basic question every parent asks, which is whether the people feeding their children can be trusted.
Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistPaint. In the dinner. Because it looked nicer.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorI'll say this for it. A life sentence is the one forecast I'd call settled, and I rarely say that.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorOfficials in this case have not said more about how long it went on, and we will report what comes out.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore World →

More Shorts

All videos →

▶ As it aired · WorldPope to be discharged days after lung cancer surgeryRead the story
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · WorldTrump ratchets up the chaos in an October barrageRead the story
▶ This Day in History · Pop CultureStolen Caravaggio and Honecker Out: The Anchor Was There for All of ItAbout this segment
Photo: jafer24 from Ewa Beach, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · World16 People Rescued in Pacific Ocean Off Mexico, U.S. Coast Guard SaysRead the story
Photo: Kevin Payravi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · WorldVenezuela's Machado calls Trump's new oil partner corruptRead the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.LeBron and the 76ers: Maxey Is the Real GM, Sandwich LosesAbout this segment
Photo: International Monetary Fund · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · WorldIMFC chair says global economy resilient; delegates walk out on…Read the story
Photo: Quirinale · Attribution · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · WorldGerman woman, 99, walks on the wing of a moving plane, sets recordRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Secret Service Deputy Exit: Anonymous Source Is Guarding a Parking ReceiptAbout this segment
Photo: roy fuchs · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
▶ As it aired · WorldRare pink diamond goes on display in France 100 years after amateur…Read the story