- A newborn girl was discovered alive inside a Woolworths bag in a bush in Oakford, KwaZulu-Natal, by a couple on their way to a tuckshop
- The baby had been in the bush for nearly 20 hours, with her umbilical cord uncut and the placenta still inside the bag when she was found
- Reaction Unit South Africa responded to the scene as officers launched door-to-door searches for the mother who allegedly abandoned the infant
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A newborn baby girl has been rescued alive in Oakford, near Verulam on KwaZulu-Natal's north coast in South Africa, after spending close to 20 hours abandoned in a bush inside a shopping bag.
Source: Twitter
The infant was discovered at around 09:45 on Tuesday morning by a couple who were walking to a nearby tuckshop.
As they passed a bush close to several residential homes, they heard what sounded like a baby crying. Following the sound, they found the child inside a Woolworths bag, which they cut open with scissors.
The newborn was wrapped in a black T-shirt.
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Baby's Condition When Found in SA bush
Despite the ordeal, paramedics who examined the child at the scene described her condition as good. She was subsequently transported to a local government hospital for further observation and care.
The state in which the baby was found raised immediate concern. Her umbilical cord had been severed but left untied, and the placenta remained inside the bag alongside her.
Based on witness accounts gathered during door-to-door enquiries in the area, officers established that a woman had been seen discarding a bag in the same bush at approximately 14 pm on Monday, meaning the infant may have been left there for nearly 20 hours before she was found.
Search for the Mother Continues
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) attended the scene and are continuing to search for women in the surrounding area who may have recently given birth.
The public has been urged to share any relevant information by contacting the RUSA Operations Centre on 086 123 4333.
In the wake of the incident, Jo Moodley of the Tongaat Child and Family Welfare Society appealed directly to mothers facing difficult pregnancies or personal crises.
She urged them to seek help through official channels such as hospitals, clinics, police stations or registered child protection organisations, stressing that assistance was available without judgement or shame.
Family of pipeline girl who disappeared 3 months ago renew search
In other news, TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about four-year-old Mary Njeri Ng’ang’a, who disappeared while playing outside her family’s home in Nakuru’s Pipeline Estate.
Nearly four months later, her family is still searching for answers, while a ransom lead pursued by detectives has not resulted in an arrest.
Source: TUKO.co.ke