Eight year-old Zheng Lin Xin, who I met this morning, doesn't know where her daddy is.
Zheng Da Jing was taken from Beijing against his will two weeks ago by government officials from his home province of Hubei.
His wife hasn't heard from him since.
Mr Zheng had come to the capital to petition the state council for justice in a property dispute that has left his family homeless.
He's one of thousands from across China who gather in the city to exercise their ancient right to have their pleas heard.
But the Beijing authorities don't want the petitioners causing a nuisance as the city prepares for the communist party congress in a few weeks' time, or generally cluttering the streets as the 2008 Olympics approaches.
So they send them home, often against their will and under cover of darkness.
Nobody knows the exact numbers, but human rights groups receive a steady stream of reports about people being removed each week.
Xin's mum cries as she tells us the story, but the little girl just smiles and tries out her English on us.
"Thank you," is the only phrase she knows.
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