Newborn baby found dead in Erasmus
The discovery of the newborn was allegedly made after calls from concerned community members.
A woman is in police custody at the Kempton Park SAPS holding cells after a newborn baby boy, alleged to be hers, was found dead at Erasmus open field.
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The discovery of the newborn was allegedly made after calls from concerned community members on May 31.
“We received a call from the community that a woman was bleeding heavily at an informal settlement near Bredell and we rushed to the scene,” said Pieter Ferreira, K9 and Tactical Manager at Target Specialised Risk Services.
“We arrived on scene and managed to locate the woman and upon investigations, it was discovered that the woman allegedly gave birth to a baby and abandoned the baby at an open veld.
“She directed us to where she abandoned the baby and the search began and a few minutes later, the baby was found.”
Ferreira also explained to Express that at the time of discovery, the baby had already died.
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“We suspect it was a full-term pregnancy as the baby looked fully developed,” explained Ferreira.
“Upon assessment, the woman was found to be fine and not in need of further medical care as the bleeding was normal and in accordance to post-birth.”
According to Captain Jethro Mtshali, spokesperson for Kempton Park SAPS, a case of concealment of birth is being investigated.
“Police were summoned and on their arrival, they found paramedics and a newborn boy who was already declared dead,” said Mshali.
“The woman was arrested and has already appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on June 1. The matter has been postponed to June 22 for bail application.”
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