Jailed China dad who stole to fund son's cancer treatment is behind bars when boy dies

The Star

24-06-2025

A father in China who was jailed for stealing to cover the cost of his son's cancer treatment had to endure the agony of his son dying while he was still in prison. - South China Morning Post composite/Douyin
TIANJIN: A father in China who was jailed for stealing to cover the cost of his son's cancer treatment was still behind bars when the boy died.
In place of a normal farewell, to fulfil the boy's wishes, his ashes were scattered in a lake near the prison where he is being held.
Yu Haibo, 29, grew up in a farming family in China's northeastern Jilin province.
After leaving school in his teens, he worked as a chef and welder and married his girlfriend, Zhang Mingyu before turning 20.
In 2014, their son Jiayue was born. Yu worked at a car factory, earning just over 2,000 yuan (US$300) a month, while Zhang stayed home to care for their child.
At the age of three, Jiayue fell down some stairs, and while being treated for his injuries, he was diagnosed with leukaemia.
'I could not believe it. I was ready to give up everything to save him,' Yu told Jiupai News.
The family moved to Tianjin to get treatment for their son.
Yu took on multiple jobs, sold their home and borrowed money to cover the costs. After two years, Jiayue's condition stabilised.
In April 2021, doctors recommended treatment that would cost tens of thousands of yuan. But the Covid-19 pandemic had left Yu without income.
At this point, a friend told him copper from roadside transformers could be sold for money.
Yu stole more than 20 transformers and sold the copper for about 30,000 yuan (US$4,200). Two months later, he was arrested and jailed for four years.
'I did not know it was illegal. I was desperate,' Yu said.
His wife worked multiple jobs while caring for Jiayue.
In January 2023, Yu was told the cancer had returned.
Prison officers and inmates raised more than 70,000 yuan (US$10,000) for Jiayue's treatment. That June, Yu was allowed to visit him in hospital.
Jiayue was bedridden, pale and frail: 'Dad, did you eat breakfast? What did you have?' he said. Then, too weak to continue, he lay in silence as Yu wept by his side.
As the visit ended, Jiayue told him: 'Dad, be good in prison. You can go now, the police are waiting.'
A month later, the youngster died, aged nine.
Yu's father told him his son's ashes had been scattered in Jingyuetan Lake near the prison because the boy wanted to stay close to his father.
Jiayue's last message was: 'Dad, after you are out, do not think about me too much. If you miss me, just visit the lake. I will always be there.'
Yu was released in November last year after a sentence reduction. Since then, he has visited the lake every two weeks.
He now relies on odd jobs and has started a social media account to share his life, gaining around 80,000 followers.
On Father's Day, June 15, Yu took toys, cake and flowers to the lake.
His story has touched many people on mainland social media.
One person said: 'You may not be a good citizen, but you are a great father.'
'Yu now understands the importance of obeying the law. He deserves more compassion and support from society,' said another. - South China Morning Post