Newlands East baby case: Court hears details of mother's arrest
The Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court has heard that the Durban woman whose newborn baby was found dumped in a storm water drain was arrested after reporting to a local clinic with postpartum complications.
The little girl was rescued in Newlands East last Monday - in a massive operation involving paramedics, police, firefighters an municipal workers.
They worked for close to three hours to reach the infant, who was stuck seven metres underground.
She was suffering from a mild hypothermia but is now in good health. The doctors who examined the baby said it was a miracle that she'd survived the ordeal.
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The accused - who cannot be named to protect the identity of the child involved - is still in hospital at the moment. She wasn’t in court yesterday and the case was dealt with in her absence.
As per a letter from the hospital - which was submitted to the court - the 32-year-old’s health problems are as a result of postpartum complications.
At the moment, she’s facing one count of attempted murder but further charges could be added in the future.
The case is due back in court next week, for the accused to make an appearance.
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In the meantime, she’s been remanded in custody at the hospital and thereafter, Westville Prison.
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