Baby found dead in dustbin in Richards Bay

A garden services employee discovered the body of a newborn baby dumped in a trash bin at a complex in Richards Bay on Monday morning.

The baby boy, wrapped in a towel and placed inside a plastic bag, was left in a dustbin at Hadeda Park, Zululand Observer reported.

A few nappies were placed in the bottom of the plastic bag and the placenta (afterbirth) was also left in the dustbin.

According to one of the complex residents at the scene at about 8.40am, the baby appeared to be fully developed.

The complex is secured, and can only be accessed by remote control.

Richards Bay police spokesperson Captain Debbie Ferreira confirmed that a charge of concealment of birth would be opened and additional charges were possibly added as the investigation continues.

“This is such a tragic incident and a serious matter. We urge women and young girls, who do not want to keep their babies, to seek help from our trauma centre or from organisations such as Richards Bay Family Care or LifeLine Zululand, who can advise them of other options to safely give up their babies,” said Ferreira.

Meanwhile, LifeLine Zululand director Michelle Jewlal said emotional wellness and crisis intervention services, including counselling, were available but more needed to be done in terms of awareness and access to services available to help individuals make informed decisions.

“Educating people on making informed lifestyle choices is a priority.”

“The decision does not only affect the individual involved, but also has a ripple effect on society and the role society plays in motivating people to make harsh decisions.

“We need to rise above stigmatising and branding people because this provokes people to engage in illegal activities and making poor decisions,” said Jewlal.

– Caxton News Service

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