South Africa: Newborn found abandoned in bushes in Mamelodi

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:38 am

Just days after the provincial Health Department expressed challenge over the spate of abandoned babies, a newborn was determined in the timber in Mamelodi at the weekend.

A police K9 unit, which used to be patrolling in Mamelodi, reacted to a criticism on Saturday at about 11am and determined the toddler at a park in Mamelodi West’s Moretele View.

According to police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo, they discovered the toddler boy wrapped in a jacket.

The police took the child to Mamelodi Regional Hospital the place he was admitted. “The baby used to be alive and given medical attention,” Masondo said.

He said the police had been investigating a case of toddler abandonment with the family violence, baby safety and sexual offences investigations department, and searching for the suspects who dumped the baby.

This 12 months alone, 118 kiddies had been left at a range of public hospitals in the province.

Chief motives mentioned vary from teenage mothers being frightened of their parents, undesirable and unplanned pregnancies, to lack of immediately basic materials of garments and toiletries for the mother and the new child upon discharge, the branch said.

Also, some mothers had no emotional, financial and social aid from the father, while others have been undocumented migrants.

The branch stated the worst affected hospitals blanketed Carletonville and Leratong, which stated 19 incidents each, and Far East Rand with 13 cases.

Tembisa and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital recorded 10 cases each.

The branch stated the time spent in health facility via the kiddies ranged from a week to a month or longer, depending on the kid’s clinical condition.

“Hospital social workers are working tirelessly in conducting schooling focus campaigns with pregnant moms to minimize infant abandonment,” it said.

This consists of educating them about various choices that are accessible to them, such as adoption, temporary and foster care.

“Through networking with child safety organisations, medical institution social people are capable to provide moms at hazard for abandonment with primary cloth aid for each mom and child.”

The branch said nurses were now able to pick out expectant and new moms who have been in all likelihood to abandon their babies, and refer them to social employees for psycho-education, counselling and different care.

“Where the mother is of the same opinion to take care of the child she is referred to a child safety organisation for in addition support.”

(IOL)