Becoming a parent is no task to be taken lightly, especially when being a teen and pregnant.

Teens that get pregnant are at a higher risk of dropping out of school and into poverty; it can take a toll on their mental health.

All these factors are troublesome and raise immediate concerns regarding the child’s welfare.

Ensuring adolescent parents receive proper social, emotional, medical, and educational support is essential to the parents and the infant’s future.

But not everyone is that fortunate and can access these programs.

Whether it’s fear of prosecution or a lack of government resources, the ugly reality was visible this past week.

On Friday, November 4, in the evening hours, Witbank Police were busy doing their rounds in the Central Business District (CBD) attending to public complaints when they received radio communication about a suspicious black bag found close to the Old Coronation/Verena Road.

The sergeant proceeded to the location when he found the bag in question.

Upon inspection, it was clear that a newborn baby was placed inside the black plastic bag.

The timing and the circumstances lead the police to believe it was the concealment of birth, making it an intentional act.

The control centre was contacted, and all role players attended the scene.

The baby was declared dead on the scene and taken by pathology services.

Teen pregnancy is not the end of the road, and you can get in touch with your local clinic or hospital.

Many of them have a welfare program that often has support and counseling to offer teen moms.

There are also three sites in eMalahleni that assist women who are unable to take care of their babies; the New Life site on Mandela Drive, the Reyno Ridge site at 11 Vulture Street, and the eMalahleni CBD site at 15 Hertzog Street.

In case of emergencies, you can contact 082 565 6770 or 072 777 3012. A case has been opened at Witbank Police Station and the investigation is underway.

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