eMZINONI – A woman (24) appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 25 July for child abandonment.
This came after the police were called because a new-born baby was found abandoned in Third Street on 18 July.
According to the police, the baby was wrapped in a red blanket and was put in a black refuse bag.
“The woman who called us, said she was hearing a noise in her yard and was too scared to go out.
“The umbilical cord was still attached to the baby,” said Const Cynthia Mtshweni, police spokesman.
It is alleged that the woman’s family noticed that she was not pregnant anymore and asked her where the baby was.
Police said the family investigated, whereupon the woman confessed that she had dumped the baby.
Her family took her to the eMzinoni Police Station.
Const Mtshweni, who is also responsible for the Victim Support Centre, said it was a shock to find the baby.
“Such cases are rare in the area, we usually find fetuses dumped in places such as dams and in fields.
“We call on those who are not in need of children, not to dump the children but to rather go to legal institutions.
“There are many people who want to adopt kids.”
The baby is still at Bethal Hospital.
The suspect was released on free bail and will reappear in court on 29 August.
