Culture

Chinese Couple Allegedly Sold Their Baby Online To Get Money For iPhone

Face human trafficking charges

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Shanghai prosecutors are reportedly building a case against a couple accused of selling their baby daughter online for money to purchase an iPhone after pretending the woman's baby bump was a tumor.

They face prosecution for alleged human trafficking, state media reported today.

Shanghai's Chinese-language Jiefang Daily newspaper named the couple only as Mr. Teng and Ms. Zhang, who defended their actions as an act of love and sacrifice. "We did not send the baby off for a profit, but to give the child a better life of security," the couple said, according to the newspaper.

With two older children to care for, the couple had reportedly hoped another family would be able to provide a better upbringing for their little girl. The couple allegedly put their daughter up for adoption through online postings and ultimately accepted money for the baby, according to state media.