CHENNAI: A day after a 15-day-old baby was allegedly stolen from the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, the city police traced the infant at Salem. Police have detained four persons, including three women for inquiry. The baby was found in the possession of a woman, identified as Manimegalai, the real mother’s namesake, who claimed she was an advocate in Salem.
A senior police officer said so far four people have been detained. “Only after a detailed inquiry, will we know if the mother tried to sell the baby or if it is a case of theft.” The baby’s mother was admitted to the Institute of Child Health for Children, where she befriended temporary staffer Sumitra and sought help to find a job.
“Knowing that Manimegalai was separated from her husband and had financial constraints, Sumitra offered help. She introduced her to ‘advocate’ Manimegalai, who promised to get her a job overseas. On Monday, the ‘advocate’, her sister and another woman had taken the baby and her mother to the government general hospital for a master health-check up by car. After dropping her at the GH, they stole the baby and escaped to Salem,” said a senior police officer.
A special team was formed to trace the baby. It went to Salem and found the baby with the ‘advocate’. Police are investigating if suspect Manimegalai had any previous case of child-lifting registered against her.