Russian investigators said two women were facing human trafficking charges after a young mother gave away her newborn baby to a complete stranger that she met online.
The 25-year-old mother can be seen in the video holding the baby, who is wrapped in a bright pink blanket. She is accompanied by an unidentified woman carrying a red or pink bag. The companion at one point makes contact with a stranger she had met on the Internet, according to Russian news site MKRU, a junior high school teacher from St. Petersburg, while the mother walks over to the side.
Video footage shows the three women standing together, the mother cradling her infant.
The young mother holds the baby close to her face for a final heart-wrenching moment, before handing it over to the teacher.
Moments later the young mother and her companion turn to leave, while the teacher walks through the gate entrance, carrying the pink bag in one hand, and the baby in the other.
The video was published by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. According to local reports, the Committee said that what motivated the young mother to give up her child was supposed inability to support the child financially. She'd replied to an online announcement posted by a couple seeking to a adopt a baby, the Committee said.
The teacher was reportedly able to take the child back to St. Petersburg using false documents.
The Western-Siberian Investigation Department said it had completed an investigation, which resulted in the two women being charged.
The case has been forwarded to court for examination, local reports said.
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