In a shocking incident in West Bengal, India, a couple allegedly sold their 8-month-old baby to buy an iPhone 14 Pro in pursuit of creating Instagram reels. Reports further noted that the Indian couple also attempted to sell their 7-year-old daughter.
All for an iPhone 14
The iPhone 14, renowned for its cutting-edge features, stands as one of the top choices in the smartphone market. However, its premium price tag has raised concerns.
The iPhone 14 Pro equates to approximately 2 percent of the average annual salary in the US, reflecting its substantial cost. This discrepancy in pricing extends to other countries, attributed not only to taxes and duties but also to currency variations.
Indeed, the iPhone 14's charm and hype can drive some individuals to take extreme actions, even if it means spending a substantial amount of money. The overwhelming excitement and popularity of the device can lead people to make impulsive decisions that they might later regret.
An incident in India's West Bengal province involved an Indian couple allegedly selling their 8-month-old baby to finance the purchase of an iPhone 14 and to fund their travels.
Phone Arena reported that the couple's neighbors became suspicious when the baby suddenly went missing, and the couple, known to be not financially well off, suddenly possessed an iPhone 14 Pro.
Also Read : Apple Claims 99% Satisfaction Rating From iPhone 14 Users Despite Being 'Statistically Impossible'
Apprehending the Indian Couple
Upon confrontation, Apple Insider reported that the mother confessed to selling the baby also to finance their travels and create Instagram reels and short-form videos using the iPhone 14 Pro.
The Indian police apprehended not only the baby's mother but also the woman who reportedly bought the child. However, the baby's father remains at large.
The incident has raised serious concerns and highlights the importance of addressing the welfare of vulnerable children and the consequences of desperation-driven actions. Reports further claimed that the father even made an attempt to sell their 7-year-old daughter.
An investigation being conducted by authorities is still ongoing to thoroughly examine the case. While instances of parents selling their children due to financial hardships have been observed in India, the act of selling a child in exchange for an iPhone represents a truly dystopian reality.
It raised concerns about vulnerable children's well-being and societal pressures' impact. The disturbing incident in West Bengal is not an isolated occurrence, as DailyO also reported equally bizarre stories from different parts of the world.
In 2016, a Chinese couple faced allegations of selling their 18-day-old newborn daughter for $3,530 to acquire an iPhone. More recently, in March, an Australian court brought to light a woman's shocking desire to trade her unborn child for an iPhone.
This revelation came to the fore during a hearing of a tragic incident in which she left her two daughters in a car for over nine hours, resulting in their heartbreaking and untimely deaths.