<b>Photos:</b> Preying on China’s mentally disabled
Liu Xiaoping, 30, recovers in his father’s office in Xian from injuries he suffered while held captive as slave labor at a brick factory. A recruiter lured Liu, who is mentally disabled, with promise of high wages and perks. Read the full story (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Liu watches as his mother, Mao Xiulian, changes the bandages on his frostbitten foot. He was burned and not given proper gear to handle hot brick at the factory and later was dumped on the road, where he wandered for days until a man looking for his missing son helped him. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
He Zhimin fights back tears as he talks about his search for his missing son, who is mentally disabled. He is a familiar site in nearby villages as he rides his motorcycle from town to town every day, posting flyers and talking with anyone who might have a clue. Leads indicate his son was tricked by a labor recruiter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
He Zhimin, 63, hold a photo of his mentally disabled son, who he has been searching for the past several months. In his searches, He found Liu Xiaoping. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
He Xhimin walks past a dorm where someone told him his son once lived as a slave at a brick factory. Read the full story (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
A brick factory owner denies he uses mentally disabled men as slave labor. But an ex-manager said recruiters were paid to bring in such men. The going rate for healthy workers was about $14 a day, but the nominal pay for a mentally disabled worker was $4.50 a day, of which $1.50 was set aside for food and the rest pocketed by the recruiter. Read the full story (Barbara Demick / Los Angeles Times)