newborn baby kidnapped from mother in hospital in KZN

Image via: Saps

Two women arrested for allegedly kidnapping newborn baby in KZN

Investigations revealed that the two women were planning to take the newborn baby to Gauteng.

newborn baby kidnapped from mother in hospital in KZN

Image via: Saps

On Wednesday 20 May, police officers arrested two women aged 17 and 20 for the kidnapping of a newborn baby boy in KwaZulu-Natal.

Police officers from the Port Shepstone Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) said the suspects appeared in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 21 May. The 17-year-old suspect was released into the care of her parents.

Police later discovered that the newborn baby was destined for Gauteng.

TWO WOMEN TAKE OFF WITH NEWBORN BABY 

It is alleged that on 18 May at 09:45, a 23-year-old mother was discharged from hospital in Umzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal after giving birth to a baby boy. 

Still, at the hospital, the mother claims she was approached by two women who pretended to have visited a relative in the maternity ward. 

“They offered to leave together with her as they were also going to the Umzimkhulu CBD. When they reached the CBD, they took the baby from the mother when she wanted to go into the lavatory,” said Colonel Thembeka Mbele. 

Upon her return, she could not find the women or her newborn baby boy. 

The mother reported the incident to Umzimkhulu police and a case of kidnapping was opened. The docket was assigned to the Port Shepstone FCS Unit for further investigation. 

“An intensive investigation led the team of investigating officers to Mfulamahle Location where the two females and baby were found. Suspects were immediately arrested,” said Mbele. 

“The baby was taken to hospital for a medical check-up. Investigations revealed that the baby was destined to Gauteng province where one of the suspect’s boyfriend resides,” added Mbele. 

BABY FOUND UNDER ROCK IN SEPARATE INCIDENT 

In a separate but horrific incident, the body of a 15-month-old baby girl was found under a rock after being kidnapped. A search conducted by North West police, community members and a local councillor, led to the gruesome findings of the kidnapped baby on Thursday 13 February. 

According to a South African Police Services (SAPS) statement, the body of the baby was found underneath a rock in an open field in extension 12 in Jouberton. According to police, the baby was allegedly kidnapped on Saturday 1 February while she was sleeping with her 22-year-old mother in a house in Extension 12, Jouberton at about 20:00.

Her mother woke up and realised that there was a person in their house. The unknown suspect grabbed the baby and fled the scene on foot.