Mother refuses to breastfeed or take care of newborn baby; Child Welfare Committee to take custody

ALAPPUZHA: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) will take custody of a newborn baby who was abandoned by a 19-year-old mother after giving birth in the toilet of a government hospital. The decision comes after the young woman informed the CWC that she is unwilling to care for the child.

Both the mother and the baby are currently undergoing treatment at the Vandanam Medical College Hospital. They have been accommodated separately in the hospital. According to officials, the mother has refused to breastfeed or take care of the newborn. Once the woman is discharged from the hospital on Monday, the CWC will assume custody of the baby and hand the child over to the District Child Welfare Committee. The infant will be cared for at a children's home in Alappuzha for up to two months. Officials said that even if the mother changes her mind during this period, any decision regarding custody will be made after carefully considering the child's safety and well-being.

Police have registered a case of attempted murder against the woman in connection with the incident. Further legal action is expected once she is discharged from the hospital. Authorities are also providing her with counselling. Meanwhile, police have not been able to contact the man from Kolkata who is said to be the child's father. He had reportedly worked at a hospital in Edappally when the young woman was pursuing a paramedical course there. The incident came to light last Monday when the Haripad native gave birth in the toilet of a government hospital. According to reports, she had sought medical treatment after convincing her relatives that she was suffering from an abdominal growth.