Mother detained for baby's death

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)