A newborn baby girl, discovered in a maize meal bag on a Belfast railway line, led to the recent arrest of a woman believed to be the infant’s mother.
Mother arrested for abandoning newborn baby on Belfast railway line
In a statement, police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala revealed that security personnel patrolling the railway line in Dalmanuta, Belfast, were alerted to the cries of a baby.
Upon investigation, they found a baby girl inside a maize meal bag. The police and paramedics were called to the scene, where the child received immediate medical attention and was later taken to a healthcare facility for further care.
A woman suspected to be the newborn’s biological mother was located and arrested following the discovery.
RELATED – Manhunt underway for Calcutta woman who abandoned newborn in pit toilet
Details about the circumstances leading to the abandonment and the woman’s identity remain under investigation.
What are the penalties for abandoning children in South Africa?
This incident brings to light the severe issue of child abandonment in South Africa, where approximately 3,500 babies are reportedly left unwanted each year.
Child abandonment, defined as desertion without contact for over three months, is illegal under South African law.
Various elements contribute to this societal problem, including financial hardship, lack of family support, unwanted pregnancies, resentment towards the child, and fear of societal judgment.
The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 aims to protect children’s rights and welfare, but its effectiveness in preventing child abandonment and ensuring children’s safety remains questionable.
This gap is often attributed to challenges in law enforcement and identifying the perpetrators, who are frequently the mothers.