In Rachuonyo South, Homa Bay County, Kenya, police apprehended a 32-year-old woman on Saturday night, January 13, 2024, following accusations that she drowned her one-day-old infant in a water pool before burying the baby in a nearby farm.
The arrest ensued after neighbors grew concerned about the woman and her child’s prolonged absence during the day. Suspecting something amiss, they reported the matter to a village elder, prompting an investigation by Kamuma Sub-location Assistant Chief Collins Joram.
It was uncovered that the woman had given birth on Thursday, January 11, and tragically, the baby had passed away on Saturday, January 13. In an attempt to conceal the tragic incident, the suspect placed the deceased infant in a box and buried it in a shallow grave covered with earth.
According to Mr. Joram, the woman had a successful delivery at a house belonging to a community health promoter, assisted by the same.
“She had a successful delivery within the village and was assisted by a community health promoter. It was a girl,” stated the administrator.
The deceased infant was the woman’s fourth child. Her other three children reported witnessing their mother placing the newborn in a basin of cold water on Friday, allegedly with the intent to drown her. Unaware of the tragedy, they believed their sibling was asleep when they returned home from school later that day.
The suspect purportedly enlisted the help of her sixth-grade daughter to accompany her to a nearby abandoned farm, where they reportedly buried the baby in a box after walking at least one kilometer.
Neighbours became suspicious on Saturday when they observed the woman not breastfeeding the baby. Concerns were reported to the local administration, prompting Mr. Joram to question the children, who disclosed the tragic incident.
Upon police intervention, the woman guided officers to the makeshift grave, where the body was exhumed. She was subsequently arrested and detained at the Oyugis police station pending arraignment.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect had divorced her husband about three years ago. When questioned, the man claimed to be unaware of the child’s existence.
