A newborn baby girl who was buried alive by her 21-year-old mother has been rescued by police in Lunzu, Blantyre, Malawi.
On August 3, 2023, the incident was confirmed by the public relations representative for the Chileka Police, Sergeant Jonathan Phillipo, who named the suspect as Olivia Jonas.
The suspect, according to Sergeant Phillipo, was eight months pregnant when she gave birth to a baby girl alone at home on the evening of August 1, 2023, at around 18:30. She then buried the infant unnoticed in a nearby bush.
According to reports, the suspect pretended to have miscarried when her husband got home from work. As a result of the complications the suspect was having, she was taken to Mlambe Hospital for some medication.
According to police, after being questioned by nurses who were caring for her, Jonas allegedly claimed to have delivered a dead baby and buried her at a nearby bush within her vicinity.
Police officers from the Lunzu Police Unit rushed to the hospital as soon as they received the report from Mlambe Hospital staff, where they spoke with the suspect, who admitted to burying the child after giving birth.
The baby was found to be still alive and in good health after the suspect led police officers and medical staff from Kadidi Health Centre to the scene where she had buried the child.
The suspect, who is expected to answer charges of hiding a child’s birth, is currently being treated at Mlambe Hospital
Olivia Jonas is a native of Mjamba Village in the Blantyre District’s Traditional Authority Kapeni region.
