Woman of Pathanamthitta, who fled after abandoning 16-day-old baby, taken into custody

KOZHIKODE: The police have taken into custody a woman, who fled after abandoning her 16-day-old baby at the medical college hospital. The woman taken into custody belongs to Seethathode in Pathanamthitta. The family of the woman, working abroad, was not aware of her pregnancy.

According to reports, the woman told police that she abandoned the baby because she feared her family would find out about the childbirth, which she believed would create problems. She was admitted to the hospital on July 8 and was discharged on July 12 after giving birth. She had arranged a helper through a friend to assist her. The helper was with her in the hospital to look after her and her baby.

A few days after her discharge, she called the helper to the hospital again saying that the baby was sick. She then handed over the infant to her and fled to Pathanamthitta from the hospital. When the helper realised that she would not return, she approached the police.

The baby was later shifted to a protection centre through the Child Welfare Committee. The woman had given the address of Wayanad in the hospital. An investigation by the medical college police and the city police found that she belongs to Pathanamthitta. A case has been registered against the woman under the Juvenile Justice Act.