An investigation is underway after a young mother allegedly pushed her 2-year-old daughter to her death out of a sixth-floor window on Monday before stabbing herself in the stomach.

The woman's child died yesterday morning after craniotomy surgery at the 999 first aid center in Qinghe, Haidian district.

The mother, Cao Xiaozheng, remains under observation at the same hospital following her apparent self-mutilation.

The tragedy unfolded at a building in Huilongguan, Changping district.

The mother has reportedly admitted that she pushed her child from the window.

Staff at the registration counter at the hospital where Cao was being treated were emotional when asked about the incident.

"Did you hear about the poor little girl?" said a woman working there. "How could her mother do that?"

Visitors were not allowed to enter the room where Cao was being treated and no one outside the room identified themselves as relatives or friends of her when asked by METRO.

Two women waiting outside the operating room looked shocked when told about the incident.

"We didn't know about it," said one. "But the mother must have been insane."

When the door of the ICU finally opened, a nurse told METRO the two-year-old girl had passed away in the early morning.

A doctor told METRO that Cao's situation was stable after her surgery, but said she would be kept under observation for at least another day.

"Considering her behavior, we have two policemen sitting beside her bed to avoid further self-destructive behavior," the doctor said.

Cao's younger brother said she had suffered from mental problems and had often talked about her suspicion that others were trying to murder her.

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（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for China Daily for one year.