Baby thrown from hospital toilet window in Kerala; staff acts swiftly

ALAPPUZHA: A case has been reported from Kerala’s Haripad Government Hospital, where a 19-year-old woman who arrived complaining of stomach pain allegedly delivered a baby in a toilet and later threw the newborn out of a window, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at the hospital, officials said. The woman, reportedly unmarried, is alleged to have given birth inside the toilet before throwing the infant outside shortly after delivery.

Hospital staff were alerted after hearing a faint cry and later discovered the newborn in an area where stray dogs were reportedly present, prompting an immediate rescue operation.

The timely intervention by the night-duty medical team helped save the baby’s life, hospital authorities confirmed.

A doctor involved in the case said, “The woman had approached the hospital seeking treatment for stomach pain, but refused to undergo a physical examination. This raised suspicion that the woman might be pregnant.”

Medical staff further noted that the woman was seen visiting the toilet multiple times while under observation. “Doctors said they heard a faint cry shortly after the woman entered the toilet,” the report added.

Following this, staff quickly alerted others and searched the premises, eventually locating the newborn. Doctors said even a slight delay could have proved fatal.

The infant had reportedly fallen into an area where stray dogs were present.

Both the mother and the newborn have since been shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Alappuzha. The baby, currently in the ICU, is reported to be out of danger.