Police have located a woman who abandoned her six-month-old baby girl at Gandhi Park in Verulam on Thursday. According to the woman’s sister, the woman was found by police on Thursday night and has since returned home, though KZN police have not yet confirmed if criminal charges have been filed.
How the incident unfolded
The incident began when the mother left her infant with a stranger at the park before fleeing toward the local railway line. Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), reported that the mother did not return for over three hours. The stranger contacted Rusa for assistance after the mother failed to return. Upon inspection of the bag left with the child, Rusa officials discovered birth certificates and documents that did not match the age of the baby.
Following the distribution of details regarding the incident on social media, Rusa received multiple tip-offs. The child was eventually identified by her aunt, who arrived at the Rusa headquarters accompanied by two men. The aunt stated that the mother was a 29-year-old woman who had five children.
The documents left behind by the mother in the bag at Gandhi Park contained birth certificates and other records that did not correspond to the actual age of the six-month-old infant handed to the stranger.
Status of the children
Authorities have worked to locate the mother’s other children to ensure their safety. Balram stated that officers traced three of the fathers, who confirmed the children were safe. While one child remained unaccounted for immediately following the incident, the aunt confirmed on Friday that this child was also found safe and is currently with their father. The sister also reported that the baby is doing well.
The involvement of multiple fathers and the rapid mobilization of family members suggest a complex domestic situation. In cases of child abandonment, the priority for law enforcement typically shifts from locating the missing parent to assessing the ongoing welfare of all involved children through coordination with social services or family members.
What happens next
The legal status of the woman remains uncertain. While her sister confirmed the woman is back home, she noted she had not yet spoken with her sister regarding potential legal consequences. As of Friday, KZN police had not confirmed whether charges of child abandonment have been brought against the woman. Future developments will likely depend on whether law enforcement determines that the abandonment meets the threshold for criminal prosecution under local statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the baby abandoned?
The baby was left with a stranger at Gandhi Park in Verulam.
How were the mother and children located?
Rusa shared details of the incident on social media, which led to tip-offs. The aunt of the child subsequently identified the baby at Rusa headquarters, and police located the woman on Thursday night.
Are all the children safe?
Yes. The aunt and Rusa confirmed that the children are safe and are with their fathers.
How should community members best support families during such crises to prevent similar incidents?
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