Migrant worker's mom dies in confrontation with police in China

TAIYUAN, China, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- The mother of a construction worker in China died after a confrontation over her son's pay.

A police officer has been suspended as the death of the 47-year-old woman is investigated. He is accused of assaulting her by pulling her hair and twisting her neck.

The confrontation occurred in the Shanxi province of northern China on Dec. 13 when the migrant woman and her husband went to their son's job at a construction site in Taiyun.

They went to the site with their son, Wang Kuilin, 21, and others who complained about late wages. The family hoped to get the money to be able to return home for the Chinese New Year.

According to Kuilin, police officers beat up his father while one officer assaulted his mother.

The police officer stood on the woman's hair as she lay on the floor and accused her of "playing dead."

"My mom was lying on the ground for nearly one hour," Kuilin said.

She was reported dead three hours after the assault.

The husband suffered broken ribs and asked if police could care for his wife because he was handcuffed, unaware of her condition.

Police disputed the reports of abuse but are investigating.