Police detained Liu in Chengdu on Oct. 8 after a viral post claimed a 7‑year‑old boy died in 2009 and was secretly interred on the roof of a local apartment building.
Li, the building’s owner since 2017, said she first saw the supposed grave after a neighbour mentioned it and filmed the scene, which appeared to show bones and weeds.
Forensic analysis from Chengdu Police Department revealed the remains were animal bones and fish teeth, and the area was a common flower bed.
The video quickly collected millions of views, sparking outrage on social media and fears that the rumor could depress property values in the area.
Liu faces a court hearing scheduled for Nov. 15, where prosecutors will argue that spreading false information endangers community safety and undermines trust in local institutions.