The young boy shows off the scars on his back from alleged abuse by his adoptive parents. [Photo/IC]

NANJING - A district procuratorate in Nanjing, East China's?Jiangsu?province?has decided against arresting a woman who allegedly abused her nine-year-old foster son, after members of the public were consulted on a case sparked when photos of the boy's injuries appeared online.

Images showing suspected lash marks on the boy's back, legs and arms went viral earlier this month, triggering public outrage. Local police detained the boy's adoptive mother, surnamed Li, on April 5.

According to details announced by the Nanjing procuratorate on Sunday, investigation showed that Li beat the boy with a wooden stick and rope and also stepped on him after he failed to finish homework that Li asked him to do on March 31.

A medical appraisal found the boy suffered serious injuries which covered 10 percent of his body.

Local police sought approval for Li's arrest from Pukou District People's Procuratorate on April 12.

The procuratorate held a hearing on April 16 and listened to the opinions of 18 members of the public on whether or not to arrest Li. Most were against the arrest, suggesting the procuratorate put the boy's interests first.

At the hearing, Li's lawyer read out a letter from Li in which she apologized. "I would double my love to take care of the boy in the future," Li wrote.

The boy told the hearing he would still like to live with Li.

Li is the cousin of the boy's natural mother. The adoption was agreed to by the two families. But the procuratorate said the adoption did not go through formal procedures.

A child abuse offense refers to family members frequently mistreating a child. The crime can be punished with up to two years in prison.