AN abandoned 10-month-old baby girl, who was found crawling across a road in Gillitts, is making a full recovery.
Michelle White, one of the principals at Happy Valley Educentre in Gillitts said a parent, Belinda Goosen, was driving on Hamilton Crescent in Gillitts around 1pm on Friday, 24 February when she saw the baby trying to crawl across the road. She immediately stopped her car, picked up the baby and put her into her car and drove straight to the Happy Valley Educentre.
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There, staff contacted the G2 Community Network’s Allan Dyer, who alerted paramedics, police, and security companies. Dyer also circulated a flyer about the abandoned baby on social media.
Meanwhile, Michelle and the other principal, Amber Chipps, ran down the road to see if they could locate the mother but only found a baby bag which was unzipped.
“We went knocking on doors to see if anyone had seen the mother and child. One of the workers in a complex said he saw a woman in a red shirt breastfeeding her baby earlier. We continued looking for her but at this stage we have no idea what happened to her – if she was hurt or if she did abandon her baby,” said Michelle.
Michelle and Amber immediately fell in love with the child and refused to leave her side. However, the child was taken into police custody and placed in the care of Careline Crisis Centre for the weekend.
“During this time, Baby Happy, as we have named her, fell ill and had to be taken to hospital twice for treatment as she had experienced a high fever. We continued to visit her in hospital until she was discharged on Sunday afternoon.
“Baby Happy was supposed to appear in court on Monday but Constable Mphume Zondi of Hillcrest SAPS could not meet us in court. At this point, Careline Crisis Centre contacted us to inform us that they could no longer keep the baby. Luckily, one of the teachers at our school, Janine Paker, offered to help with a temporary safe house for the baby,” said Michelle.
Michelle’s father-in-law, Denis White, the general manager of Cloud of Hope Orphanage in Underberg heard of Baby Happy’s plight and has gone all out to secure a placement for her with them, pending the court’s decision.
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The G2 Community Network and other authorities have been working around the clock with Happy Valley Educentre through an appeal for donations in cash and kind for Baby Happy. Michelle said the response has been superb.
“Baby Happy is doing much better now. We just want to ensure that she has the best chance at a good life despite her tough start,” said Michelle.
Anyone who would like to assist Baby Happy get a good start in life, can contact Michelle on 082 578 7484, email info@happyvalleyeducentre.co.za or contact the school on 031 764 6661. Alternatively you can drop off donations at the school at 15 Hamilton Crescent in Gillitts.
If you have any information regarding the mother’s whereabouts or the baby’s identity, please contact South African Community Crime Watch’s Steven on 082 920 5799 or Lief on 072 955 8188 or G2 Community Network’s Allan on 082 651 7888.
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