Newborn Rescued From Father Who Attempted To Give Her Away Post Wife's Death During Childbirth

A newborn girl was rescued from her father who was trying to give her away as he was unable to look after the baby. The incident took place in the Indian state of Odisha.

The newborn’s mother died while giving birth on Jan 1. Since there was no one to take care of the child, the girl’s father, identified as 45-year-old Nangtu Chalana, decided to give her away. The man, who has six children apart from the girl, was taking her to another village when he was caught by a child protection officer who acted upon an anonymous tip.

During interrogation, Chalana said he took this decision as there was no one to look after the children post his wife’s demise. His aged mother was the only other person at home apart from the children. The girl was produced before the child welfare committee Saturday.

“As Mr. Chalana is reluctant to take care of the newborn, she has been temporarily kept at a rehabilitation center in Koraput. If after two months, the father refuses to take back the child, we will start the legal process for her adoption,” District Child Protection Officer Narayan Das told local daily the Hindu.