21-year-old unmarried woman gives birth; newborn baby's dead body found

PATHANAMTHITTA: A newborn baby was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Mezhuveli, Pathanamthitta. The baby was born to a 21-year-old unmarried woman. The mother had abandoned the baby in the field of a neighbouring house where no one was present. The baby was only two days old, police said. The baby's mother is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chengannur. The Elavumthitta police reached the spot and found the baby's body based on the information provided by the hospital authorities.

However, the 21-year-old woman's grandmother said that she came to know about the baby only when the police came to the house. The grandmother said that the girl had gone to the hospital this morning claiming to be ill and that she did not know any other information. ASHA workers in the area say that they never knew that the 21-year-old was pregnant. The girl, a BA graduate, has been at home for a long time. However, the 21-year-old's grandmother says that she did not know that the girl was pregnant. Health workers confirmed that the baby was a girl.

Forensic officers reached the spot and conducted an examination. The police are questioning the mother's parents. The police will soon question the 21-year-old, who is undergoing treatment at the hospital. The cause of the baby's death is not yet clear. All these matters will be clarified only after the postmortem is conducted. The police have started an investigation.