Baby found

Photo: Stock/Canva

Baby found alive after mother placed her in a suitcase and buried her in a shallow grave

Police said a mother was arrested after she buried her newborn baby girl alive in a shallow grave in a yard in the Eastern Cape.

Baby found

Photo: Stock/Canva

A 34-year-old mother was arrested after she placed her newborn baby girl in a suitcase and buried the suitcase in a shallow grave in a yard in Tsomo in the Eastern Cape. 

BABY WAS FOUND WRAPPED IN BLANKETS IN THE SUITCASE – STILL ALIVE

According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, it is alleged that during the early hours of Monday morning, 11 October 2021, a 34-year-old woman from Xolobe Administrative area in Tsomo allegedly gave birth to a baby girl. 

“The baby was allegedly put in a suitcase and buried in a shallow grave in the yard.” 

Naidu said police in Tsomo was alerted by the Chief of the area on Tuesday about his suspicion that the woman was pregnant and is no longer pregnant and that there is no child. 

“Police went out to Xolobe and found a grave in the yard. On digging it up, police discovered the child in blankets in the suitcase, still alive.”

She said the child was taken to the hospital.

“The mother was arrested and also taken to hospital for medical attention. She is currently under police guard. A case of attempted murder is being investigated against her.”

Meanwhile, police in Durban seek assistance in finding the relatives or parents of this baby girl found in a dustbin in Durban.

THE ADORABLE BABY GIRL WAS FOUND IN A DUSTIN BEHIND A HOTEL A DAY AFTER SHE WAS BORN

According to police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele, the baby girl was found dumped in a dustbin at Boscombe Place behind a hotel in Durban earlier this year. 

“It is alleged that on 10 July 2021 at approximately 22:15, the infant was found alive by police abandoned in a dustbin at Boscombe Place behind a hotel in Durban. 

“It is suspected that she was abandoned on the day after she was born. The Durban Central FCS Unit is investigating a case of child abandonment.”

 ALSO READ: Seven-month-old baby found abandoned on the side of the road in Germiston

Last month three newborns babies were found dumped in South Africa in less than one week: 

  • On 19 September 2021, a newborn baby was found dead in the Blaaupan dam in Bonaero Park, South East Kempton Park
  • On 14 September 2021, a newborn fetus wrapped in a rubbish bag was found dumped at the Phoenix taxi rank in Durban
  • On 17 September 2021, the body of a newborn baby was found washed ashore on Brighton Beach in Gqeberha 

DESPERATE MOTHERS URGED NOT TO DUMP THEIR BABIES

“Abandonment of infants in South Africa is, unfortunately, a common occurrence,” The Door of Hope organisation said.

“Many of these children are left to die, or simply abandoned, in dustbins, open fields, public toilets, or on train tracks.”

The organisation knew that something needed to be done.

ALSO READ: Watch: Desperate pregnant mothers begged not to dump their babies

The moment a baby is placed, care workers on duty receive an electronic signal alerting them. The baby is taken in, and the anonymity of the “donor” is ensured.