Bailiff breastfeeds crying baby of mother on trial

A bailiff in a North China courtroom touched hearts on social media after she was photographed breastfeeding a crying baby girl as her mother stood trial.

The defendant, surnamed Li, was being charged on numerous counts of fraud, embezzlement and concealment of illegal gains at Jinzhong Intermediate People’s Court in Shanxi Province on Saturday when her baby started to kick up a fuss and cry during the proceedings.

Hao Lina, a bailiff who had recently given birth herself, took the child out of the courtroom, found a private corner and began breastfeeding her.

The baby fell asleep in her arms, photos showed.

Hao’s gesture so moved Li that she wept and confessed to her crimes, media reported.

Hao said she was just doing her duty as a bailiff and as a mother.

“I am a new mother myself, and I get it that how worried Li, as a mom, was when hearing her baby crying,” Hao said.

“I believe any mother would do the same,” she added.

Li was one of 34 people being charged for their connections to a fraudulent fundraising ring.

The court sentenced all defendants to prison and a total 5 million yuan ($753,000) in fines.

It was not reported how long of a prison sentence or amount in fines Li received.