A woman stumbled upon a heartbreaking discovery on Muizenberg Beach when she discovered a baby boy carelessly wrapped in a plastic bag floating on the waves.
The baby, it was reported, was blue from the ocean’s low temperatures, and Emergency Services quickly arrived on scene to assist the newborn.
“The baby was stabilised on the scene and taken to a nearby hospital, whereafter he was transferred to Mowbray maternity hospital. The infant is currently in a healthy and stable condition and still at hospital,” South African Police Services (SAPS) spokesperson FC Van Wyk says. “An attempted murder and concealment of birth docket has been registered for investigation.”
The baby boy, who is being called “Sunrise”, was born prematurely, and will be placed with what is called a Kangaroo mother when he is discharged from hospital.
The process of finding a Kangaroo mother, someone who cares for newborn babies until a suitable foster home can be found, will take approximately three months to conclude.
The issue of children, especially newborn babies, being abandoned is a growing crisis in South Africa.
Each year, approximately 3 500 children are dumped or abandoned in South Africa – this figure only reflects the children who survive. Ninety percent of the survivors are under the age of 1 years old.
Anybody with information regarding the incident is kindly requested to contact the investigation officer Detective Warrant Officer Henry Abrahams on 082 522 1080.