Woman arrested for dumping newborn baby in Durban

Woman arrested for dumping newborn baby in Durban! A 32-year-old foreign national has been apprehended by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) just 17 hours after abandoning her newborn baby in a stormwater drain in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal.

The woman, who is originally from Maseru, Lesotho, had allegedly planned to flee the country after committing the act. However, a combination of anonymous tips, hospital records, and investigative efforts led to her swift capture.

Newborn Found Hanging on the Edge of a Manhole

The horrific discovery was made on Wick Street in the Verulam CBD, where a reaction officer on a bike patrol noticed the baby dangling dangerously on the edge of a manhole leading to a two-meter drop into the stormwater drain.

“The officer acted quickly, saving the child before she could fall,” said a RUSA spokesperson.

The rescued infant was immediately transported to a public hospital for urgent medical attention.

Shortly after, authorities received a tip-off from a medical facility regarding a newborn matching the child’s description. The baby had been born via caesarean section, and her photo was circulating among medical personnel.

This crucial information helped RUSA officers trace the mother, who was already on the run.

Authorities Track Down the Mother

Armed with the new leads, reaction officers intensified their search for the suspect.

“She was a foreign national who moved to South Africa two years ago from Maseru, Lesotho,” an official confirmed.

Investigators later discovered that the woman was planning to flee the country.

During a search of her residence, officers found a plastic medical tag bearing the child’s name, further confirming her connection to the abandoned baby.

She was also caught in possession of her friend’s passport, allegedly attempting to use it to escape South Africa.

Mother’s Troubled Background

After her arrest, the woman admitted to entering South Africa illegally in 2022. She had left behind her two children—aged five and eleven—in Maseru to find work in South Africa.

She eventually secured employment as a machinist at a textile company.

However, things took a turn when she fell pregnant with her third child.

“Her lover denied paternity, claiming she had been with other men,” an official said.

Alone and facing rejection, she allegedly decided to discard the baby, leading to the shocking incident that nearly cost the newborn her life.

The Investigation and Next Steps

The woman is now in police custody, facing serious charges related to child abandonment and illegal immigration.

Authorities are working with social services to determine the baby’s future care arrangements, ensuring she is placed in a safe environment.

This case has sparked outrage in the community, with many calling for harsher punishments for individuals who endanger innocent children.

Community activist Sipho Mthembu expressed his shock:

“This is heartbreaking. If she didn’t want the baby, there are safe ways to give up a child instead of doing something so cruel.”

The Department of Social Development has urged mothers in distress to seek help rather than resorting to such drastic actions.

“There are safe havens and organizations willing to assist struggling mothers,” a spokesperson stated.

A Story of Desperation and Tragedy

This case highlights the difficulties faced by undocumented foreign nationals, particularly women struggling with unplanned pregnancies and economic hardships.

While desperation may have driven her to this tragic decision, the law will now take its course, ensuring justice for the abandoned infant.

For now, the rescued baby is safe, but her future remains uncertain as authorities work to determine the best course of action.

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