Two people had been detained following the death of a 13-month-old boy who was killed by a family planning department vehicle after officials argued with his parents about paying a fine for having an unauthorized third child, the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported Thursday.
A local Party chief surnamed Bai and a driver named Cheng were arrested on suspicion of committing a criminal offence relating to the boy's death on Tuesday and the investigation is continuing. The baby was dropped on the ground during a tussle between the officials and the parents. The father said he was unable keep his son from being run over.
Before the incident, about 11 officials were sent to confront the boy's family, to demand a 100,304 yuan ($15,947) fine be paid. The family already has two daughters and the boy's birth contravened China family-planning policy.
The family planning department had visited the family in Ruian, Zhejing Province several times attempting to collect the fine, said the newspaper.
The father, Chen Liandi, said his family couldn't afford the fine. Chen had been detained for 15 days by the court in November for failure to pay the fine.
Chen told the newspaper Wednesday that he and his wife were told they would be detained if they refused to pay the fine again. Local authorities said Wednesday that the officials of the family planning department had no right to detain them according to the law.
Read more: Official accidently runs over villagers' infant son
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