Dumped 3-month old baby’s body discovered
WHAT drives a parent to dump a baby?
That’s what community members and experts alike are wondering after the body of a 3-month-old baby boy was found near a stream on the outskirts of Phoenix last week.
A scrap metal collector made the gruesome discovery and now DNA testing is being conducted to establish who the biological parents are.
Security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) were called out by the scrap collector who found the body, with visible injuries, lying on a pile of rubble.
RUSA head Prem Balram said the Indian baby was wearing a Dryper brand diaper and a new pair of blue denim jeans.
According to the scrap metal collector, who is a resident of Parkgate in Verulam, he was collecting scrap on the pathway leading to Phoenix when he noticed the jeans. He had assumed it was on a plastic doll. Upon inspection he realised it was a baby.
Phoenix Child Welfare director Aruna Chetty expressed sadness and disappointment.
“Parents have so many opportunities to come through to various child welfares, police stations, welfare departments and hospitals if they are unable to care for their children. It is extremely sad, we don’t even know if the baby was abused prior to this or what home he had come from,” said Chetty.
“If you cannot take care of your child, bring them to us and we will take care of them. We run a shelter for abused women and children and there are a lot out there. Come to us so we can help.”
Parents who abuse their children can face legal charges, she warned.
“Negligent parents can be charged according to the Children’s Act. Abandoned children go through a standardised process to find a new home or their biological family,” added Chetty.
Chetty urged women to come forward and volunteer as foster mothers.
“We need more foster mothers so we can open up more children’s homes, instead of having them live in foster homes.”
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane confirmed that a baby’s body was found.
He said the body was taken to the Phoenix mortuary.
An inquest docket was opened at the Verulam police station.