Woman kills her one-day-old baby in Shivamogga hospital by slitting throat, arrested

SHIVAMOGGA: A nursing mother was arrested after she slit the throat of her one-day old baby boy at the delivery ward of McGann Hospital here on August 16. The woman was identified as Shaila, a resident of Thimlapura in Honnali taluk of Davanagere district.

The infant was found near a commode in the washroom of the obstetrics and gynaecology department of the hospital by some other patients who informed the hospital staff. The police were then immediately alerted and senior police officers, along with the scene of crime officers (SOCO) arrived at the hospital.

Investigation revealed that Shaila already has two children and had undergone hysterectomy four years ago. However, she got pregnant again and got admitted to the hospital after telling her family that she had to undergo treatment for thyroid.

In the hospital washroom, Shaila gave birth to the child by herself through normal delivery and slit its throat with a blade used for surgeries. During questioning by the police, she admitted to the crime. A case has been registered at the Doddapete police station and further investigation is under way.