Update: Two-week-old baby rescued in midnight raid
'Our family is touched by all the people who cared about the safety of our family.'
Read initial article here: Two-week-old baby girl allegedly kidnapped in the Princess Informal Settlement area
Almost 12 hours after being snatched from the arms of her grandmother, two-week-old baby Mikayla was reunited with her loving family.
Against a court order, her biological mother made a mad dash with the infant into the Princess Informal Settlement around midday on Friday, 25 September.
A panicked community alerted authorities and within hours a manhunt of massive proportions was underway.
Rumours flew around what the biological parents intended to accomplish with the seemingly emotive act but neighbourhood watches, community police forums, private security companies and police would not leave anything to the imagination.
In a group believed to have been in excess of 100 people from a multitude of organisations, they scoured every inch on the dense informal settlement.
With the clock edging towards midnight, the shack housing the delinquent parents was located. A brief raid on the informal dwelling separated the infant from her mother, who was subsequently arrested.
Also read: Update: Case opened and names of alleged kidnappers known
Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peter confirmed that the case opened by the legal custodians of the baby was in fact not a kidnapping case, but one for contempt of court.
A brief medical exam revealed that Mikayla had no injuries and was ceremoniously returned to her home in Randfontein.
While the family does not wish to have their names published, they have extended their eternal gratitude to everyone who played their part in ensuring that baby Mikayla was returned safely.
“We just want to say thank you to everyone who was involved. Our family is touched by all the people who cared about the safety of our family” said the Aunt of the child.
The Aunt also claims that the father made an escape and was not apprehended. The colossal unity shown by the brave men and women is beyond commendable.
The mass mobilization sets the standard of active citizenry and one little girl has to a future to look forward to because of it.
Read original story on roodepoortrecord.co.za
