Mother awaits fate in baby dumping case

Pini Bothoko | Wednesday October 15, 2014 16:38

Police believe the woman dumped her newborn daughter into a pit latrine from where the infant was later rescued.

Matsiloje Police Station Commander, Superintendent Obert Manji, said both the police and the NRH are investigating with a view to pursuing charges, but alternatively assessing whether the child will be at risk if returned. In the meantime, police have placed the mother under 24-hour guard “so that she does not harm her daughter”.

“We received a report that something that sounded like a child was crying in a toilet in a yard allegedly belonging to the woman and we managed to retrieve the toddler from the toilet,” he said, adding that, “The infant is currently in good condition and being fed at NRH”.

Manji said that the mother and daughter were taken to NRH where they are currently admitted whilst forensic tests to confirm maternity are due.

“We are working with NRH in this matter,” the Station Commander said.

“The doctor has to do blood samples to confirm her maternity and if the child belongs to her she will have to undergo counselling sessions to be prepared for motherhood.”

When asked if there were possibilities that the woman would be given her child back, Manji said that if it is established that she was not in a good state when she committed the offence and was prepared to take her daughter back, she would be given her child back. “She will undergo a mental examination, which will determine her fitness to stand trial or not,” said Manji.

Meanwhile, NRH public relations officer, Keekae Majeremane confirmed the duo’s admission, disclosing that the case is currently under private social workers engaged by the Hospital.

He revealed that the hospital has applied for a court order for the child to remain under its care until the case is completed.

“We are working with the police in this matter, and are investigating the matter at family level. The mother has agreed that the child belongs to her and we are currently feeding her here.

“We are going to offer her counselling sessions together with her family members to establish whether she can be given the baby or not, “ he said.

He added that counselling sessions will take time but in the meantime the child could be given to other family members while the mother’s preparedness for parenthood is assessed and improved.