3-year-old Chinese boy sold by parents for $17,000 reunited with grandfather

A elderly man embracing baby boy in the outdoors. INQUIRER.net stock photo

A three-year-old Chinese boy who had been sold by his parents for 120,000 yuan (around $17,000 or P935,000) a year ago was finally reunited with his grandparents.

The boy, who hails from Fujian province in China, was raised by his paternal grandparents since he was eight months old, as per Beijing Youth Daily via South China Morning Post on Feb. 1. He was taken by his parents following a visit before being sold in a park in Jinjiang City on Jan. 17, 2018.

The grandfather, unidentified, did not know his grandson was sold until he visited his son in jail in December 2018. The boy and his “adoptive” parents were eventually tracked down last January with the help of authorities.

“How can they be so cruel?” the grandfather was quoted as saying. “My wife and I can support him if they cannot afford to raise him. How could they sell him?”

The boy’s parents are already separated, as per report, and decided to equally split the money upon selling him. The grandfather said the parents took his grandson during their last visit and told him they had the right to decide what to do with their child.

“Before that, they would take him away, but always brought him back at night,” the grandfather said.

The parents now face criminal liability, whereas the couple who bought the boy are detained by authorities. As per report, the issue has triggered a nationwide discussion on illegal adoptions and child trafficking. Cody Cepeda/JB

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