Authorities in the capital’s Russei Keo district are investigating a case in which a midwife sold a newborn for US$100 last week.

Tuol Sangke commune police chief Huy Hean said that Srey Sorei filed a complaint on Thursday accusing her midwife of selling her baby.

The police chief told the Post that the suspect had confessed to selling the male newborn, but said she had received the mother’s permission.

Huy Hean said the mother had approached the midwife two months ago seeking an abortion, because she was too poor to raise the child.

However, the midwife said the procedure would be too dangerous and instead suggested that she take care of the baby.

On Wednesday, after the mother gave birth, the midwife sold the newborn for US$100 to another woman who had previously approached the midwife about getting a baby.

Neither the mother nor the midwife have been arrested, Huy Hean said.