Three-month-old boy rescued from elderly couple in Salem

A three-month-old boy baby, suspected to be bought by a childless couple, was rescued by child welfare authorities in Salem on Thursday.

Acting on a tip off that a baby has been raised by a farmer couple from Mettudayarpalayam near Pethanaickenpalayam, the child welfare authorities rescued the baby.

The couple, 63-year-old man and 55-year-old woman, claimed that they got the baby from their relative a month ago. An official, who did not wish to reveal their names, also said that the issue is under investigation to know if they had actually bought the baby. “They claimed to have received the baby from one of their relatives employed in Kerala. Hence, the Child Welfare Committee will issue summons to the parents of the baby to appear for an inquiry. Only then, if would be known if there were any irregularities,” said the official.

The official added that the couple own large properties and decided to raise the baby as their heir.

“However, as a baby could be adopted only through proper channel, the infant has been rescued, produced before Child Welfare Committee officials and handed over to a children home. The baby is in good health,” the official added. In a similar incident, the Salem police rescued a barely three weeks old girl baby, sold by her father for Rs 1.15 lakhs, a few months ago.

The official added that the couple owned large properties and decided to raise the baby as their heir