A 17 year old girl, identified as Mtisunge Matuta who earns a living through prostitution is in police custody at Kasungu Police Station for allegedly deserting a 1 year old child.

It is alleged that, during the month of January, 2016, the suspect left her 1 year old child with a maid who lives in Mbeta viilage near Kasungu Township.

According to the police, the suspect had employed the maid in question to help her look after her child whilst he continued with her usual business. During this month, the suspect just left Kasungu leaving her child with the maid without informing her exactly her destination.

“After looking that the suspect had took months without showing up, the maid took the child to St Andrews Orphanage at Mthunthama which is under the Anglican Church before reporting the matter to Kasungu Police.

“A check and arrest message was sent to all stations to apprehend the suspect and she was netted in Lilongwe during the night of 21, 2016 at one of the rest houses at Chigwiri,” read the police statement.

The suspect will appear before court to answer the charge of Child Desertion which is contrary to Section 164 of the Penal Code when inquiries are completed. The offence attracts a maximum sentence of 7 years imprisonment with hard labour if found guilty.

The suspect hails from Kacheta village under Traditional Authority Njombwa in Kasungu district.