Twist in kidnap case as cops suspect baby deal gone awry

Twist in kidnap case as cops suspect baby deal gone awry

A day after a mini-van driver was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a 40-day-old baby boy in Parry’s Corner, the case took a different turn on Friday after investigations revealed that the infant’s mother, a pavement dweller, had allegedly sold another son of hers for Rs 40,000 one and half years ago. Moreover, the baby’s mother Shanthi’s live-in partner was denied custody of the child, after she said he was not the real father.

Muthu was arrested on Thursday on charges of kidnapping Shanthi’s baby, which was rescued from the residence of one Krishnaveni at Villivakkam.

Police sources said Shanthi had sold her elder son after she was rendered homeless when her then live-in partner deserted her. She then worked as a casual labourer. She gave birth to both the boys at the same hospital — Govt Raja Sir Ramasamy Mudaliyar (RSRM) Hospital.

She told police that she was first approached by Muthu and Krishnaveni when she went to have the child vaccinated at RSRM two weeks ago. Shanthi went on to say that the duo followed her and won her trust before taking away the child while she was at work on Tuesday. During interrogation, Muthu said he had been negotiating with Shanthi to sell her child to Krishnaveni, whose daughter wanted to adopt the baby. Shanthi reportedly demanded almost `20,000 more than the price quoted by Krishnaveni for the ‘deal’. However, when questioned by police, Shanthi denied the allegations, declaring that the child was not sold. As Muthu took away the child without the mother’s consent, he was charged with kidnapping.

After selling her first child, Shanthi reportedly met Muthusamy (60), whom she met during construction works and subsequently started living with him. On Thursday, Muthusamy came to the police station, seeking custody of the child. But, Shanthi told police that he was not the real father after which they allowed her to retain custody of the baby.

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