Police take custody of abandoned toddler

Accra (Greater Accra), 22nd June 99 ?

A toddler, aged between 11 months and a year old, found abandoned at the edge of the Korle Lagoon during last Thursday's heavy rain is now in the custody of the Women and Juvenile Unit of the Police Service.

A 55 year-old good Samaritan, Kofi Nuamah of Mamprobi, who found the girl around 12 midnight, took care of her medical bills and handed her over to the Unit in Accra on Monday.

Briefing journalists, Mrs. Gifty A. Botwe, Commanding Officer of the Unit, said the man, who was on his way home during the rain, heard the child crying.

With the assistance of two others, he traced the crying child to the edge of the lagoon and took her to the hospital because of her high temperature and later reported the incident to the James Town Police, who referred the case to her unit.

The child now clothed and fed, will be sent to the Osu children's home while, investigations are underway to arrest and prosecute the mother.

Mrs. Botwe said, "at least once a month, cases of such nature are brought to the unit".

She said mothers abandon their children out of frustration due to the fact that fathers refuse to take responsibility for the children.