Shaanxi doctor given suspended death sentence for selling babies

Want China Times, Xinhua 2014-01-15

Zhang Shuxia is escorted by police to hear the court verdict in Weinan,
Shaanxi, Jan. 14. (Photo/Xinhua)

Zhang Shuxia, an obstetrician in northwestern China's Shaanxi province, was sentenced to death with a two years' reprieve on Tuesday for trafficking seven babies, a local court said.

Zhang, a doctor with the Fuping County Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, was accused of selling seven babies, one of whom later died, to human traffickers after persuading their parents to give up their "sick" newborns, according to the Weinan Intermediate People's Court.

On July 20, a mother surnamed Dong suspected her baby had been abducted and reported the incident to police. Zhang is accused of falsely claiming that her child had a congenital disease, according to the court. The baby was found in good condition in neighboring Henan province on Aug. 5.

Zhang was detained in August and stood trial on Dec. 30, 2013.