The baby was found wrapped in a pink tracksuit top, placed inside a plastic carrier bag last week Wednesda. (Jamie Grill/Getty Images)
- A newborn baby was found wrapped in a tracksuit top, stuffed inside a plastic bag and placed in a deep freezer in Kutloanong, in the Free State, last week.
- A shocked landlord called the police after making the discovery in a rented shack.
- The baby’s 24-year-old mother handed herself over to the police but was later released from custody as her case had not been placed on the court roll.
Police are investigating a case of concealment of birth after the frozen remains of a newborn were found inside a deep freezer in a rented shack in Kutloanong, Free State.
Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng said the discovery was made last week Wednesday by a landlord who found the baby wrapped in a pink tracksuit top, placed inside a plastic carrier bag.
Thakeng said the landlord immediately contacted the police.
“The mother, who rented the shack, was nowhere to be found and [police] searched all over [for her]. She handed herself over on 12 September and she was charged with concealment of birth.
“She could not appear in Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 16 September, as the case was not placed on the court roll,” said Thakeng.
The mother was released from custody and an investigation, which includes the collection and testing of DNA samples, has been initiated before the matter is placed back on the court roll.
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Free State Social Development MEC Mathabo Leeto called on parents who do not wish to keep their children to approach the department for guidance.
“We urge community-based organisations, non-profit organisations, the men’s sector, youth and women organisations, churches and others to rise in fighting all forms of violence against children and to report every incidence [of suspected] abuse.
“The Department of Social Development encourages communities and/or parents to approach our offices where social workers will guide and assist with interventions available, for example adoptions, other than committing such atrocious crimes against babies.
“We believe every child has a constitutional right to be raised in a family,” Leeto said.
She pleaded with community members to cooperate with the authorities as they investigate the incident.