Daijiworld Media Network – Bhilwara

Bhilwara, Sep 27: Days after a 19-day-old baby was found abandoned in a forest in Mandalgarh, Bhilwara, with his lips sealed with glue and a stone in his mouth, police have detained the infant’s mother and maternal grandfather. Authorities say the stone was allegedly placed in the baby’s mouth to prevent him from crying and alerting anyone nearby.

Police investigations revealed that the child was born out of an illicit relationship. Fearing societal backlash, the woman and her father reportedly rented a room in Bundi under false identities to carry out the delivery. They allegedly attempted to sell the baby, and when that failed, abandoned him after a few weeks.

“We have detained a woman based on intelligence inputs. She is being interrogated.

Preliminary inputs suggest she had an affair with a man. The child was born out of their relationship. She then abandoned the baby,” said Dharmendra Singh Yadav, Superintendent of Police, Bhilwara. A DNA test will be conducted to confirm the mother-child relationship.

The baby was discovered by a shepherd, who heard faint cries while grazing his goats and immediately alerted villagers and police. The infant was rescued and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.

Doctors report that the newborn is gradually improving but remains in critical condition. “The baby has been kept on oxygen support due to breathing difficulties. He also suffered burns after coming into contact with hot stones,” said Dr Indra Singh, in-charge of the Mother and Child Center at Bhilwara Medical College.

Authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abandonment and alleged illegal activities.