Foetus found dumped near CBD
Pini Bothoko | Thursday September 7, 2017 13:25
Borakanelo police acting station commander, assistant Superintendent Douglas Moagaesi said the foetus, a boy estimated to have been aged between five and six months old, was found wrapped in a plastic material by someone walking across the railway line.
“We received information from the public and upon arrival at the scene, we verified the report,” Moagaesi said.
“According to our informer, he saw a reddish plastic bag and discovered a foetus, upon after opening bag.
Investigations on the matter are ongoing and we are yet to track down the suspect.” He said the foetus was rushed to Princess Marina Hospital, but was certified dead upon arrival by doctors. “It appears the incident was still fresh because despite having been wrapped in plastics, the foetus was not decomposed,” Moagaesi said.
Moagaesi said arrests in such cases were difficult without the public’s help. In May, a passerby found a two-day old infant, wrapped in blankets and dumped in one of the waiting chairs at the bus rank.
In that incident, the fortunate baby was certified healthy and continues to receive care at Princess Marina. Police are yet to arrest the suspected mother in that incident.
“It is difficult for us to locate the suspects because in our area we do not police residential, but business areas.
“We have in the past held crime prevention outreach initiatives at the bus rank to educate and sensitise members of the public about baby dumping. We have pleaded with women to seek help when troubled whilst expecting to avoid such instances, but our advice seems to be falling on deaf ears,” Moagaesi said.
He pleaded with members of the public to help them to locate the foetus’ mother because usually when there is a pregnant woman in an area people are aware of her situation.
He advised that in instances where pregnancies disappear without the newborn being spotted, people should contact the police.
“We promise the general public that the information will be treated with extra-confidentiality. This is the second incident this year. I am pleading with boyfriends to also come forth with information,” Moagaesi said.
He went on to plead with women not to abandon their children no matter the situation, but rather to consider seeking help in the upbringing of the children from their families.
Moagaesi called on men being the fathers to support their partners during pregnancy in order to avoid such instances.