In a shocking case highlighting the dark side of online streaming addiction, a 26-year-old woman from Guangxi, China, has been sentenced to five years and two months behind bars after selling her two young sons. The woman, identified only by her surname Huang, used the money she received from the illegal sales to reward gaming streamers and splurge on clothing.
Local media reports revealed that Huang first came to the attention of authorities when she was investigated for fraud. However, a closer look at her phone records uncovered alarming conversations suggesting involvement in child trafficking. This discovery led to further investigations, which ultimately confirmed that she had sold both her biological children.
First Child Sold for Almost S$8,000
The first incident took place in 2020, shortly after Huang gave birth to her eldest son. Struggling financially without a stable job or income, and unaware of the baby’s father, she chose to sell the child for RMB45,000 (approximately S$7,979). She used this sum recklessly, showering gaming streamers with virtual gifts and buying clothes rather than securing her or her child’s future.
In 2022, Huang fell pregnant again and gave birth to another baby boy. This time, she sold her second son for RMB38,000 (S$6,738). Shockingly, an intermediary later resold this second child for RMB103,000 (S$18,263), further fuelling the illicit child trafficking network.
Children Rescued and Mother Sentenced
The two boys were eventually found and rescued by local authorities, who placed them under the care of the civil affairs department. Huang, meanwhile, was charged with both fraud and child trafficking offences. A court sentenced her to five years and two months in prison and fined her RMB30,000 (S$5,319) for her crimes.
Two other individuals involved in purchasing the trafficked children, surnamed Li and Wei, were also convicted and handed prison sentences for their roles in the illegal transactions. Police reports indicated Huang herself was an adopted child with only a primary school education, working various odd jobs in Fuzhou, Fujian, before resorting to these desperate measures.
Spotlight on China’s Child Trafficking Crisis
This disturbing case has once again thrown the spotlight on child trafficking in China and the vulnerabilities faced by women with little education or social support. It also exposes the growing trend of online streaming addiction, where individuals spend exorbitant amounts rewarding streamers, sometimes leading them to criminal activities.
Authorities in China have been intensifying efforts to clamp down on child trafficking networks, which often prey on impoverished parents and broken families. The successful rescue of the two boys in this case underscores the importance of vigilance and swift action against traffickers.
As public outrage grows, child welfare advocates are calling for stronger protective measures and social support systems to prevent similar tragedies. Meanwhile, online streaming platforms are being urged to step up efforts to detect and report suspicious financial activity linked to potential crimes.