(NOT FOR SENSITIVE READERS!) Baby in the bin: Madison was a gift from God, will find final resting place on church grounds
The body of the baby girl found dumped in a garden refuse bin after birth in Joubert Street on June 20, was released to Roseleigh Funeral Services after an autopsy was performed on the infant last week.
The baby was destined for a pauper’s burial but Reverend Kokkie Smit of St John’s Presbyterian Church refused to see it happen that way.
With the support of his congregation Reverend Smit requested the SAPS to release the body so that St John’s Presbyterian Church could give the baby a respectful burial.
The church also decided to name the baby girl and the name Madison, meaning Gift of God, was chosen to register the baby.
A memorial service will be held for Madison next Wednesday, August 9 on National Women’s Day.
Reverend Smit believes that a strong message of hope and available help can be sent to mothers in crisis pregnancies by having the memorial om Women’s Day.
Reverend Smit is also keen on the idea of having a baby safe, where abandoned babies can safely be left by mothers, erected on the church grounds.
Madison’s ashes will be buried on the church grounds of St John’s.
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A gravestone will also be laid in remembrance of the little orphan.
Her memorial service will be held at St John’s in Bhime Damane Street at 10:00 this coming Wednesday.
Reverend Smit says he would like the baby’s mother to attend the memorial service of her daughter. “I want her to know that no man can judge her, no one will know who she is and she’s welcome to come”.
A Magnolia Grandiflora tree, known as the Little Gem tree, will be planted next to Madison’s gravestone, “because she’s God’s little gem,” Reverend Smit says.
