Puttur Police Trace Stolen Baby Girl

Mangalore Today News Network

Puttur Nov 6: Puttur police have successfully traced the whereabouts of a baby girl who was stolen from her mother at birth and sold to a childless family in Kasargod. The child, now 3 months old, is in the custody of the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC). 

The baby was born to an 18-year-old Dalit girl who was allegedly raped. The father is now absconding. CWC sources have revealed that the baby was stolen when the mother fell unconscious after giving birth. When the mother regained conscious and realized that her baby has been stolen, she lodged a police complaint. 

The prime accused in the case is Rajeshwari, anganwadi worker and member of the Anti-child and Woman Trafficking Committee, Puttur. She was expected to help the mother take care of the baby girl. CWC enquiries have revealed that Rajeshwari allegedly sold the baby girl to the family in Kasargod for Rs. 70,000. 

The child’s mother, who is an unmarried victim of rape, has informed the CWC that she is unable to take care of it because of her extreme poverty and her unmarried status. According to legal procedures, the infant has to remain in the custody of the CWC for a period of 2 months. The mother can change her mind and take her baby during this time. If she fails to do so, the baby will be declared “legally free for adoption.”