Newborn kidnapped outside govt hosp rescued; 2 held

Chennai:

A nine-day-old baby girl was abducted by a woman from outside the RSRM Government Maternity Hospital in Royapuram on Sunday evening after the suspect offered to help the infant’s mother arrange an autorickshaw to return home.

Police later traced the baby to a house in Pulianthope and arrested a woman — in connection with the case.

Geetha, 29, a resident of Mugalivakkam near Porur and wife of Devaraj, had been admitted to the RSRM Maternity Hospital on Cemetery Road in Royapuram on May 13 for delivery. She gave birth to a baby girl through a cesarean section on May 15.

As her husband was unable to stay with her, a woman identified as Rosy had been assisting Geetha during her stay at the hospital.

After Geetha was discharged on Sunday, she was preparing to return home to Mugalivakkam with her newborn child, since her husband and in-laws had gone to attend a funeral. Rosy reportedly told Geetha that she too was heading home and suggested that they travel together by autorickshaw, adding that she would get down at Kodungaiyur on the way.

Trusting her, Geetha handed over the baby to Rosy. The suspect then asked Geetha to wait at a tea stall outside the hospital, saying she would bring an autorickshaw. Carrying the baby, Rosy walked towards a nearby bus stop. While Geetha waited for her return, the woman boarded a bus and escaped with the newborn.

Geetha initially informed the police station located inside the hospital that her baby had been kidnapped. She later lodged a formal complaint with the Royapuram All Women Police Station (AWPS). Based on the complaint, police registered a case and launched a search operation. Investigators examined CCTV footage from the area to trace the suspect.

Based on the footage, police apprehended Rosy, 40, who kidnapped the child. Following her confession, another man identified as Shankar was also detained in connection with the case.

Police rescued the infant from a house on VOC Nagar 8th Street in Pulianthope. The duo is currently being questioned to determine whether they had planned to sell the child.