The parents of the newborn from Balti who was to be taken illegally out of Moldova and the German woman who planned to take the child were sentenced to 15, 17 and 18 years in prison for trafficking in children, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases, since the end of 2016 until February 2017 the child’s parents received money and benefits from the German woman for giving her the baby for adoption. After she was transmitted the baby, the German woman kept this for eight days in an apartment rented in Balti municipality and later traveled to the Leuseni-Albita customs post to leave for Germany together with the baby.

The sentence can be challenged in the Chisinau Appeals Court, but the prosecution considers this is fair.

During the investigation, it was established that the child was from a socially deprived family. His mother aged 26 has three more minor children. The 28-year-old father earlier served time in jail for robbery. Both of the parents are from Balti municipality.