Johannesburg - A 23-year-old woman was arrested for kidnapping the baby of a 17-year-old mother in Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal, police said on Friday.
Police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said the kidnapping took place in the Fuyeni area.
“On 3 November 2015, the mother took her three-week old baby to hospital for check-up as she was advised by the suspect.”
Zwane said the 17-year-old was assisted and taken to the maternity ward by the 23-year-old on her arrival at the hospital.
“After she had finished off what she was doing, she left her baby with the suspect and went to buy something to eat,” Zwane said.
When she came back, the suspect had disappeared with her baby.
A case of kidnapping was opened at Empangeni police station for further investigation.
“Empangeni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences started to trace the baby and the suspect. Two days later the suspect was arrested and the baby was found,” Zwane said.
The baby was taken to hospital for treatment and a check-up.
The arrested woman would appear in the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court soon to face a charge of kidnapping charge.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni said: “We appeal to parents to take extra precautions if they meet strange people who want to help them with their children.”
ANA
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