Mother detained for baby's death

TEGAL, Central Java: Police detained a 24-year-old woman yesterday after she allegedly murdered her newborn baby inside a lavatory in Texin Hospital.

The unwed mother had apparently been ashamed of being discovered that she had just given birth.

According to witnesses, several hospital patrons became suspicious after the woman took her baby into the toilet and remained there for a long time while the baby cried.

The woman did not answer when orderlies knocked on the door, prompting them to forcibly enter the bathroom.

The mother was allegedly about to flush the baby down the toilet when she was found. Witnesses reportedly said her hands were covered in blood.

Tegal Police chief Lt. Col. Tedjo Soelarso said the mother, identified only as MHI and as a midwife by profession, was still in shock and had spoken little to officers.

Initial reports indicate that the newborn baby died by strangulation. (45)