Jajpur: A newborn baby boy was found abandoned in a roadside drain near Chorada Chhak in Jajpur district, police said Tuesday.
The infant, believed to be just five to six hours old, was rescued by a local and admitted to a hospital at Jajpur Road Monday night, they said adding the condition of the newborn is fine.
“I heard a crying sound from the roadside drain Monday night. I went to the spot presuming it was a kitten or puppy. I saw a newborn baby boy lying inside the drain. The baby was covered with dirt and insects. I washed the newborn and cleansed him,” said Rao Babu, who found the baby.
He then informed the local police about the incident last night. “On being informed, we reached the spot and admitted the baby to a hospital at Jajpur Road. We are checking the hospitals in and around the Vyas Nagar town for deliveries to find out who abandoned the baby and how he landed inside the drain,” said Amitabha Mohapatra, inspector-in-charge of Jajpur Road Police station.
A team of Jajpur District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) has visited the hospital Tuesday to take stock of the situation.
District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) N Kar said the police have been asked to trace the parents of the newly born baby boy.
“The infant will remain at the hospital for the time being. The baby is under treatment and he is doing fine,” he said, adding the district administration will bear all his expenses.
PNN
