A 30-year-old woman from Luwalazi in Nkhotakota is suspected to have dumped her newly-born baby girl in a pit latrine.
Her neighbours say the baby was discovered by passers-by who alerted the community after hearing it cry.
The baby was taken to Luwalazi Health Centre for examination and care prior to the mother’s arrest. She has been identified as Naomi Kazokoko.
Kazokoko, who was allowed to breastfeed the baby at the health centre, claimed the baby had accidentally fallen in the latrine.
“I felt the urge to relieve myself and I went to the toilet only to deliver in the process and the baby dropped into the pit by accident,” said Kazokoko, looking remorseful.
She admitted that she had concealed the pregnancy until Friday when the incident occurred.
Kazokoko has three other children and she had returned to Luwalazi Community Day Secondary School where she sat for this year’s Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE).
“The baby’s condition is okay,” said Laurent Chavalamanja, medical technician and in-charge at the health centre.
