Infant rescued within hours after abduction from Paderu GGH

Visakhapatnam: A one-month-old baby boy was rescued within hours of his abduction from the government general hospital (GGH), Paderu, in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, and one woman was arrested in connection with the case.The police said Pangi Kanthamma (22), a resident of Burugu Chetla village, came to GGH, Paderu, along with her husband and one-month-old male baby for a feeding-related issue on Thursday (May 14).On Thursday afternoon, one woman, Santhari Krishnaveni (22), wife of Damodar, resident of Uppa village of Hukumpeta mandal, abducted the infant from the hospital premises.Immediately after noticing the missing child, hospital staff and parents alerted the police. The police responded swiftly and collected CCTV footage from the hospital within minutes, through which the suspect was identified.All police stations in the district and Visakhapatnam Range were immediately alerted. The photograph of the suspect was circulated widely. Local jeep and auto drivers were sensitised, and assistance was also taken from APSRTC depot managers to trace the accused and the child.Due to a coordinated and rapid response, intensive vehicle checking was launched, and the accused was apprehended within half an hour at Hukumpeta. The infant was safely rescued and handed over to the parents after medical examination.The preliminary examination has revealed that Krishnaveni had a recent abortion and was reportedly unable to conceive a child, which appears to be a possible motive behind the offence. Further investigation is in progress to verify all aspects, including her criminal history, possible nexus with any other network, and other relevant angles. She is presently in police custody and being interrogated. Legal action has been initiated as per the law.