Child abandonment allegedly occurs in Randfontein on a disturbingly regular basis.
At about 11.45am on Thursday, 7 June, Ramona van den Heever, the founder of the Door of Care and Safety, confirmed that a baby of just a few hours old was dropped off at her institution.
“We are so sad that the baby’s mother couldn’t take care of her, but we are overjoyed that she got a second chance,” Ramona said.
Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson, said a case of child abandonment has been opened and the Krugersdorp Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences unit (FCS) have launched an investigation.
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“Child abandonment is when a parent or guardian deserts a child without regard for the child’s welfare, safety or physical health. In some instances, the abandonment is due to the parent’s or guardian’s inability to properly provide for the child. In Randfontein, most of our abandonment cases are discovered too late and the child is found dead. We are relieved to report that in the month in which our children’s safety and protection are paramount, a healthy baby was left in the Door of Care and Safety’s safety box,” Ernst said.
Van den Heever added, “She was dressed warmly, but she didn’t have nappies or a milk bottle with her. She was still wearing her hospital bracelet when she was dropped off and she hadn’t been cleaned properly after the birth.”
The baby will stay in Ramona’s care for three months and in this period the mother of the child can still claim her back. After that, she will be put up for adoption or foster care and there is a chance that she will go to an orphanage.
“We hope that a good family will adopt her once we get her paperwork sorted out, because at this moment she doesn’t have any.”
At this moment there are five children in Ramona’s care and Marie Diedricks, her right- hand-person, helps her to make sure all their needs are met.
Ramona said she will never know the reasons why this woman couldn’t take care of her baby, but she is glad that the baby is now in a safe place.
“I hope this will show other women that the Door Care and Safety Drop Box really is a safe place to leave your child if you can’t take care of him or her,” Ramona said.
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