Mangochi woman arrested for dumping baby
Police in Mangoch have arrested a 35-year-old woman for dumping her new-born baby in a pit latrine.
Police said Josephina Masasi was arrested on Sunday by Koche Police Unit in Mangochi after it was discovered that she had given birth and dumped the baby.
Mangochi Police Station deputy spokesperson Amina Daudi said in an interview on Tuesday that the incident occurred at Michesi Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponda where community members found the baby floating in a pit latrine behind the suspect’s house.
She said the matter was reported to Koche Police Unit and the law enforcers retrieved the baby, who was already dead.
“Masasi lied to her relatives that she had miscarried but after interrogation, she admitted that she dumped the baby a week ago,” said Daudi, adding that Masasi did not reveal the motive for her action.
The spokesperson said the woman, a security guard at Koche Water Users Association, was referred to Koche Health Centre for treatment.
She is expected to appear in court to answer a charge of concealing birth of a child, contrary to Section 232 of the Penal Code.
Masasi comes from Chomba Village, T/A Mponda in Mangochi.
