The family of a baby who was strangled to death by a car thief says the amount of compensation the court has ordered the defendant to pay is too small, the Beijing News reported on Wednesday.

Zhou Xijun, who stole a car and strangled the baby left by his parents inside the vehicle in March, was sentenced to death in Changchun on Monday, according to Changchun Intermediate People's Court.

The 48-year-old was also ordered to compensate the victim's family 17,000 yuan ($2,774) and pay a fine of 50,000 yuan.

Xu Jialin, the father of the baby, said he sought 2.3 million yuan in compensation for his child's death, funeral expenses and mental losses. The compensation ruled by the court was too small compared to the losses his family has suffered.

He refused to reconcile with the defendant and filed the appeal in court.