A domestic worker was arrested after she allegedly kidnapped a seven-month-old baby and hid the infant in a holiday home in Tongaat Beach where she previously worked.

The accused (38) disappeared with the baby on May 1 from where she was working.

She was located and arrested in the Seatides area in Tongaat Beach the following day.

Ilembe Cluster police spokesperson Captain Alex Thomson alleged that the accused also took the baby’s belongings and documentation when she kidnapped the child.

 “The matter was reported at Umhlali SAPS and a docket was transferred to the Ilembe District FCS unit for investigation. During the investigation, information was received that the suspect was spotted with a baby in a remote location in Seatides,” said Thomson.

“Members of the FCS unit, together with the District Task Team and Crime Intelligence, promptly responded and successfully rescued the baby, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect had hidden the baby at a holiday home in an isolated area where she had previously been employed and retained access to the property. The baby was safely reunited with the mother,” he said.

The domestic worker appeared in court and was denied bail by KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Monday.