We have recently been made aware of a disturbing incident involving the theft of a less-than-a-week-old baby, which has resulted in the arrest of three suspects by the Kasoa Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.
The suspects, identified as Magdalene Nana Adwoa Boafo, 28, Faustina Binney, 32, and Eunice Koomson, 36, have been accused of deceiving the baby's mother, Ms Abigail Addison, 29, and absconding with the infant. It is alleged that they falsely claimed the baby was in need of medical treatment for an infection shortly after birth, and subsequently orchestrated the theft under the guise of seeking specialized care.
Ms Addison has recounted her interaction with Adwoa Boafo, the prime suspect, who initially offered financial assistance during her pregnancy. The suspects then purportedly provided ongoing support and eventually facilitated Ms Addison's relocation to a rented apartment in Kasoa, where she gave birth to the baby at the Kasoa Polyclinic.
Following the birth, the suspects reportedly introduced another individual as a medical staff member from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, who they claimed would transport the baby for treatment. Subsequently, they informed Ms Addison that her baby had tragically passed away. However, she disputed this account and promptly reported the matter to the authorities.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mrs. Doris Laryea, who serves as the Kasoa DOVVSU Commander, spearheaded the subsequent investigation. This led to the arrest of Adwoa Boafo, who initially maintained that the baby had not survived but later confessed during intensive questioning that the infant was indeed alive. As a result of this revelation, the police were able to locate the baby in Gbawe.
At present, all three suspects are undergoing due legal process and are scheduled to appear in court on Monday, July 22.
This distressing incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals during times of significant life events, such as childbirth. It also underscores the importance of vigilance and thorough scrutiny when receiving assistance from unfamiliar sources. We commend the swift and decisive action taken by the authorities in this case and extend our thoughts to Ms Abigail Addison and her family during this challenging time.
We hope that justice will be served and that measures can be implemented to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this distressing situation.
-source GNA | curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
