Newborn Stolen from Hospital Ward
In a shocking incident that exposed security lapses at a medical facility, a 30-year-old widowed woman abducted a one-day-old baby boy from the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Autonomous State Medical College in Ravindranagar, Kushinagar. The incident occurred on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the medical community and local residents.
The accused woman, a mother of three young daughters who recently lost her husband, was reportedly obsessed with completing her family by having a son. Police investigations revealed she had been struggling with the emotional trauma of her husband's death and believed her family would remain incomplete without a male child.
How the Abduction Unfolded
The woman entered the SNCU posing as a regular visitor and identified a critical gap in supervision. Taking advantage of the situation, she quietly lifted the newborn from his warmer bed, wrapped him securely in cloth, and walked out of the ward without raising any suspicion.
What's particularly concerning is that the entire act occurred without triggering any alarms, without any raised voices, and completely unnoticed by hospital staff or security personnel. The baby, born on November 25, had been admitted to the SNCU on doctors' recommendation for specialized care.
Massive Police Operation Leads to Rescue
Following the filing of an FIR based on the baby's father's statement, police launched an intensive search operation that lasted nearly 20 hours. Kushinagar SP Keshav Kumar led the investigation that involved scanning footage from approximately 150 surveillance cameras in and around the hospital premises.
The breakthrough came when investigators identified a fleeting image showing a woman hurriedly exiting the hospital with a baby in her arms. The trail led police to a nearby village where the woman had attempted to hide.
The newborn was eventually found in frail but safe condition, bringing immense relief to his parents and ending the agonizing wait. However, the accused woman had already abandoned her home and fled when she realized police were closing in on her location.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Police have registered a case under BNS section 97 (kidnapping a child under 10 years) against several hospital staff members including CMS/principal Dr Ritesh Singh, duty in-charge nurse Indra Singh, staff nurses Sneha, Urmila, Julie, Anarkali, and security guard Dharmendra Singh.
Multiple police teams continue to track the movements of the accused woman who remains at large. The incident has raised serious questions about security protocols in hospital newborn care units and the need for stricter access controls.
Medical authorities have initiated an internal investigation to determine how such a security breach could occur in a sensitive area like the SNCU, where vulnerable newborns receive critical medical attention.
