A Soweto mother’s joyous occasion due to the birth of her child was short lived, when the newborn was taken from hospital on September 30.

Reports suggest that the baby girl was delivered by caesarean section and that the nurses then took the baby to the nursery room. However, when then the mother requested to see the baby later on, nurses at the nursery realised that the infant was missing.

“The mother of the baby received a phone call telling her that the child is in Finetown near Ennerdale. The hospital alerted the police and the child was found in a house in the area,” Captain Phephi Matlou from Diepkloof SAPS explained.

Matlou added that the teen girl, who is believed to be the one who took the baby from the hospital, was detained at the house.

She was taken to the police station and later transferred to Walter Sisulu Juvenile Centre in Noordgesig as she is still a minor.

“Due to the suspect being underage, the matter has been referred to the Family Child and Sexual Offenses Unit and further investigations are ongoing,” Matlou explained.

“We can however report that the child did not sustain any injuries and was taken back to Chris Hani Baragwaneth where she was reunited with her mother.”