Mother allegedly dumps baby into toilet

Asamankese (E/R), Nov. 2, GNA - A woman who allegedly dumped her day-old baby girl into a pit toilet at Kwae in the Eastern Region has appeared before the Asamankese Circuit Court charged with attempting to murder.

The baby however survived through the timely intervention of the townsfolk who rescued it.

The plea of Joana Mansa Quartey was not taken and she was granted a five million-cedi bail to re-appear on November 17.

Giving the facts of the case, Inspector G. D. Bruce told the Court presided over by Mr S. S. Appiah that at about 6.00 AM on October 8, a young boy who was attending to nature's call heard the cry of a baby in the pit.

The boy became afraid and quickly left to inform a sub-chief who also informed the Queen mother of the town.

Young men were mobilised and the wooden were destroyed, a ladder lowered into the pit and the baby was rescued.

A report was made to the Police and in the course of investigations bloodstains were traced from the public place of convenience to the door of Joana who was arrested on suspicion.

During interrogation, she admitted committing the crime but explained that she went into labour at about 4.00 AM on that day and that when she delivered she thought the child was stillborn and so dumped her into the pit toilet.

Inspector Bruce said the case was still under investigation and a triplicate docket was being forwarded to the Attorney General's office for advice.

Meanwhile the baby is receiving medical attention at the St. Dominic's hospital at Akwatia.

A report signed by the hospital's clinical Co-ordinator, Dr. Mercy Dawson to the Police said in view of the fact that the baby was in stable condition and needed breast milk for survival there was the need for the mother to stay at the ward to take care of her and therefore pleaded for the release of Joana.