Baby left in towel at gate of crêche in Standerton
The identity of the mother or any family member is unknown.
An abandoned baby was admitted to Standerton Hospital on November 16.
According to Captain Gibi Mtsweni, communications officer of the Standerton Police, the baby was abandoned in Ext 6.
A crêche in Ext 6 is used to open the facility at 05:00 for babies and children up to six years.
Sibongile Mnisi arrived for work at the gate of the crêche and saw the baby. The child is about five months old and was wrapped in a grey towel.
An empty silver flask was inside a black bag. Mnisi took the baby inside and told the owner and caretaker.
She took the infant to police and they told her to take the baby to the Department of Social Services.
According to information, the child is treated for flu and infection at the hospital and is recovering.
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The identity of the mother or any family member is unknown.
The Standerton Advertiser contacted the SAVF in Standerton on Friday, November 25 and asked which procedures are followed in cases like this.
Hanlie Brits, one of the social workers, said it depends on circumstances since police are notified, a medical assessment is done and a child has to be placed at a child protection organisation.
“Not anyone is allowed to keep a baby,” Brits also said.
“A whole legal process unfolds and a court order dictates where the baby will be staying.”
She added that police will have to ascertain whether a child is abandoned indeed before the child can be placed on the adoptable child register.
The newspaper was unable to speak to Mnisi at the time of going to press. Captain Mtsweni confirmed on November 25 that the baby is still in hospital.
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