Anguish of the mothers forced to hand over their children: Heartbreaking moments parents say goodbye to their sons and daughters at China's 'baby hatches'

The images were taken at a centre in Guangzhou, southern China

It is one of 25 such hatch facilities in mainland China, spanning 10 provinces

Photos show the last moments before parents give up their children

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A woman holding her baby, who has Down's syndrome, crouches and cries between security guards and a family member in front of the Guangzhou baby hatch

These heartbreaking photos reveal the anguish of parents as they abandon their children in China's so-called 'baby hatches.'

The images taken at a centre in Guangzhou - one of 25 such hatch facilities in mainland China, spanning 10 provinces and major cities - show the last moments before parents give up their infants  often due to poverty or an inability to cope with disease or disability.

Abandoning children is illegal in China, but the 'hatches' were introduced so parents could abandon infants safely rather than leaving them in the streets.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2595184/Heartbreaking-moments-parents-say-goodbye-sons-daughters.html