Territorial police of Arua District have Police have arrested a woman who dumped her newborn in a pit latrine.
Janet Drateru, 22, is suspected to be the mother of the child is in police custody to help with investigations.
Ms Josephine Angucia, the West Nile police spokesperson said that it is alleged that on January 9, 2023 at about 10:00 PM Drateru gave birth to a baby boy by induction method.
“She cut the umbilical cord and later dumped the baby in the neighbors pit latrine, the baby was found alive and crying in the neighbors pit latrine by a reporter who later notified the police immediately” she said in a statement.
According to Section 5 Cap 59 of the Children Act 2016, it is the duty of a parent, guardian, or any person having custody of a child to maintain that child that gives a child the right to education and guidance; adequate diet; clothing among others.
Regional police in Arua district together with the fire brigade department responded accordingly and later was rushed to Arua referral hospital for
treatment. Statements from both the reporter and suspect were recorded at Vurra Police Station and a case of Child Abuse was filed. Further investigations have shown that the suspects’ husband denied being responsible for fathering the baby and that Janet had indeed induced her pregnancy for fear of losing her marriage.
The Child and Family Protection Unit at Arua Central Police Station has in the past raised concern over the rising cases of child neglect.