Mother confesses to killing newborn in Thiruvananthapuram

T'puram: Police investigating the mysterious death of a newborn in the state capital have confirmed that the infant was murder, with the 21-year-old mother of the child confessing to the crime. Aryancode police on Tuesday arrested the accused Shamna and registered a case under Section 101 (punishment for murder) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The incident came to light on Sunday at Poozhanadu near Kattakada, when the infant was found wrapped in a blanket and hidden under a cot inside the house. While it was initially treated as a case of unnatural death, the investigation took a decisive turn after forensic findings and questioning raised strong suspicions of foul play. According to police, Shamna, who had concealed her pregnancy from family members, delivered the baby at home while alone. Her husband Althaf, an autorickshaw driver, briefly stepped out to arrange transport after she complained of abdominal pain. On returning, he found her bleeding heavily and discovered the newborn while preparing to take her to the hospital. The baby was rushed to a nearby private hospital along with the mother, but doctors declared the infant brought dead. Medical staff alerted the police after noticing suspicious injuries on the infant's body, prompting a detailed investigation. Sources said the postmortem examination, which was held at Govt Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, confirmed that the death was not natural, strengthening the case for murder. During sustained questioning, Shamna reportedly admitted to killing the newborn, leading to her arrest. Police officials indicated that evidence collected from the scene and medical reports corroborated her confession. Investigators are also probing the circumstances under which the pregnancy remained hidden from the family, who claimed they were unaware that Shamna was pregnant. This aspect has added a layer of complexity to the case, with officials examining possible motives. The accused will be produced before the magistrate in the coming days, as Shamna is undergoing treatment at the SAT hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. Police said further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events, including whether the act was premeditated or committed under distress.