A woman in Ghana has reportedly been taken into police custody after allegedly attempting to steal a two-day-old baby from a hospital, having faked a pregnancy by stuffing clothes beneath her dress.
According to reports, the woman arrived at the medical facility accompanied by another individual who introduced herself as the suspect’s elder sister. The pair allegedly claimed that the woman was at the hospital to give birth.
However, their explanation reportedly raised suspicion among people at the facility, leading to a confrontation that exposed the alleged plan.
A video circulating online captured dramatic scenes as residents restrained the woman while waiting for police officers to arrive. Those present reportedly demanded that she explain herself before forcing her to remove the bundle of clothes hidden beneath her outfit.
The clothing had allegedly been used to create the appearance of a pregnancy bump, allowing the suspect to pretend she was expecting a child.
After the deception was exposed, the woman was seen carrying the stuffed clothing as she was escorted towards the hospital waiting area.
The incident attracted an angry crowd, with several people questioning the suspect over her alleged actions. At one point, a visibly upset man appeared to attempt to confront her physically.
However, a group of women intervened and shielded the suspect, preventing the situation from escalating further before authorities arrived.
Reports indicated that the woman may not have been acting alone. Her alleged accomplice, who had posed as her elder sister, reportedly fled when the plan was uncovered and had not been arrested by the time the incident was reported.
The suspect was subsequently taken into police custody as authorities were expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted abduction.
Details about the motive behind the incident remained unclear, and further information about possible charges had not been provided in the report.
Fortunately, the two-day-old baby who was allegedly targeted was reported to be unharmed.
The incident has drawn attention to concerns surrounding newborn safety in healthcare facilities and the need for vigilance when verifying the identities and intentions of people seeking access to newborns.