INLSA

A newborn bay boy's body was hidden in a backpack and dumped.

A NEWBORN baby has been found dead, the third in two weeks.

A man passing by came across the backpack containing the infant boy’s body, in a field along the M5 and Kromboom Road near Rondebosch East on Monday, police spokesperson Nkululeko Mnyaka said.

Just over two weeks ago two babies were dumped within a day of each other, one in the city centre near Parliament, the other in Philippi.

The backpack was found on Monday beside a tree.

“(The baby was) wrapped in a white towel with yellow printing, and (placed) inside a plastic bag and then in a blue nylon backpack,” Mnyaka said.

The man found the infant’s umbilical cord was intact.

“He took the baby to the nearest house in Sprigg Road, where the SAPS was contacted. We are awaiting the post-mortem results to determine the cause of death.”

A docket has been opened on concealment of birth. Anyone with information should contact investigating officer Detective Constable Quinton Hendricks at 021 700 9000 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

l Advice for young parents in distress is available toll-free at 0800 220250. – Staff Writer