On September 27, 2023, at around five in the morning, a stranded mother named Apiyo Collin, a 21-year-old peasant farmer from Baya village in Lukwo parish in Omoro district, abandoned her 3-day-old child in a latrine, resulting in his death.
This was reported as an infanticide case by the Territorial Police in the Aswa region and Omoro district.
The victim’s brother Opiyo Geofrey threatened to withhold crops from their homestead during her pregnancy.
The victim experienced labour pains on September 25, 2023, at around five in the morning.
Despite her trepidation, she went to a neighbouring bush and covered her newborn with fresh grass.
From the bush, she continued to check on the infant and nurse her until September 27, 2023, when she discovered her child still alive but coated in red ants.
At about six in the morning, she snatched the infant and dumped it in her uncle’s pit latrine.
The mother was detained when the baby’s body was found and sent to the hospital for treatment because of bleeding.
The brother is being targeted for arrest for making threats of violence.
“What a depressing story. Such a tragic death of defenceless youngsters affects and destroys everyone,” said Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga.
He further said; “As law enforcement, we feel that every child deserves the opportunity to live in a home or environment that is safe and healthy.
“Our Child and Family Protection Unit has always helped save and supported unwanted children by working with shelter homes, probation officers, and other agencies.
“Their main objective is to protect kids from harm and neglect.”
