Abandoned baby alleged to have been poisoned, dies

A 10-month-old baby girl allegedly found reeking of alcohol behind the Saint Anthony's Catholic Chapel at Denu and later died from blood poisoning was buried at the weekend.

The child was named Akuvi Innocentia Takyi. Akuvi, because she was abandoned on Wednesday March 12, Innocentia because she was baptised on Saint Innocent's Day and Takyi after the Priest who baptised her. She died on March 23, a day after her baptism.

Mr Cephas Afornu at the Denu Parish told the Ghana News Agency (GNA), that in the evening of March 12, when there was a devotion he sighted a woman with a baby entering the church premises.

He said after a chat with the woman he felt she was troubled so he invited her to fellowship with the group.

''The woman went out and returned later with another lady and from then on my attention was on the prayer session and so I lost track of the movement of the women'', he said.

He said after the prayers they found the baby on a piece of cloth behind the chapel and waited to no avail for the return of the mother.

Mr Afornu said an empty feeding bottle was left beside the drowsy baby while her mouth smelled of alcohol.

He said a report was made to the Police and the baby was sent to hospital.

A note left by the baby read: "The baby is 10 months old. I have used all my resources to cater for her with nothing left. I have not rested a day ever since I gave birth to her and I am leaving her in the name of Jesus Christ to get her a helper."

Mr Baba Moro, Assistant Superintendent of Police in-charge of crime in the Aflao District, confirmed the story and said investigations were going on to apprehend the mother of the baby.

Dr Asare Bediako, Medical Officer in-charge of the Aflao District Hospital, said the baby had Septicaemia, which is blood poisoning.