WHITE RIVER – Thanks to vigilant security guards, caring social workers from Child Welfare SA, a temporary “mommy” and various other good Samaritans, 15-day-old baby girl will have the greatest gifts that can be given this Christmas, those of life and love.
Casey, which means ”warrior” in Gaelic, could be dead were it not for a miraculous chain of events.
She was found abandoned near a railway track on December 5. A woman was witnessed apparently trying to kill her one-day-old baby girl in the White River industrial area. She placed the baby in a plastic bag and left her on the railway line. Security guards who witnessed the incident heard the baby crying and called the police who then contacted the social workers of Child Welfare SA White River.
The mother was arrested, appeared in court and was released on bail. The infant was removed by the social worker and admitted to Rob Ferreira Hospital for a medical examination.
After treatment, the baby was discharged on December 6 and placed in temporary safe care. As she was still a newborn, she had no name. Her temporary “mommy and family” named her Casey. The social workers of Child Welfare SA White River are currently investigating the possibility of placing the baby with family members.
Lowvelder spoke to the temporary custodian who cannot be identified. She stated that the baby girl who was now two-weeks-old was doing exceptionally well.
“It was incredible how she survived, the actual plastic bag kept the heat inside and that way the baby stayed warm.”
“The community has been incredible, Mopani sponsored us and friends have brought gifts and clothes. She said the baby had also received a scholarship from the Richard Branson Foundation.
Child Welfare SA White River operations manager Mr Johan Bosch said there were so many couples in South Africa who cannot have children and who wished to adopt or raise a child.
“There are also temporary safe care and foster parents available where children can be placed pending a more permanent arrangement. If you don’t want your baby, please do not harm him or her but rather contact your nearest child protection social worker who will arrange for your child to be placed in safe care and to receive the best possible care.”
He said child abuse was a serious offence in terms of South African legislation and harsh punishments could be expected for perpetrators of such abuse.
The mother will appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court on January 20.
