Newborn baby dies during delivery at home; police register case of unnatural death

IDUKKI: A newborn baby died during a home delivery at Maniyarankudy in Idukki on Monday. The child was born to Johnson, a pastor, and his wife Biji. The incident took place around 11 a.m.

The couple are part of a group that avoids hospital treatment due to their faith. Johnson, who works in Thiruvalla, had recently moved with his family to a rented house in Maniyarankudy.

Health department officials reached the spot after learning of the baby’s death, but the family initially refused to go to the hospital. Later, Biji was shifted to Idukki Medical College with the help of the police.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and begun an investigation. They said further action would be taken after the post-mortem. The couple already has three children, aged 12, 9, and 5. According to Biji, all three previous deliveries were also conducted at home by her husband.