A 30-year old woman is in Police custody in the capital Lilongwe for allegedly dumping her own newly born baby in a pit latrine in a move to conceal birth.
Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Inspector Kingsley Dandaula confirmed of the arrest in an interview with the press and identified the suspect as Salome Chidambo.
According to Dandaula, the issue came to light after a passerby identified as Peter Kansengwa who works for HAMLA Oil Holdings heard a noise that sounded like a baby crying coming from a pit latrine.
Kansengwa is said to have tipped off members of the general public around the area who reacted by digging out the baby and handed to Bwaila Hospital.
According to the Police Publicist, police arrested the suspect after she handed herself in Tuesday morning claiming the baby was hers.
She is said to have told police that she did not know that her pregnancy was due for delivery and that she was surprised with the incidence and decided to throw the baby in the pit latrine.
Meanwhile Chidambo is expected to be charged with concealing birth of a child contrary to section 232 of the penal code.
