The police on Friday arrested a 24-year-old woman who had stolen a newborn from Vani Vilas hospital on Wednesday.
The police said that the accused, Devi Bai, a resident of Bhovi Colony in Basaveshwaranagar, was living with her husband, a labourer. She was arrested based on information provided by her neighbours. The police rescued the infant and handed it over to its mother Rekha.
During interrogation, Bai revealed that on Wednesday she had visited Vani Vilas hospital for treatment. The baby’s grandmother, Heena Devi, asked her for directions to the restroom. Devi asked Bai to carry the baby while she went in. Bai took the baby and left the hospital, added the police. Bai went home with the baby. Neighbours who heard the newborn crying asked her from where she got the baby. Bai told them that it was her relative’s baby. Neighbours, however, grew suspicious and informed Basaveshwaranagar police, who in turn, alerted the Victoria hospital police.
“She claimed that she underwent an abortion twice and was affectionate towards children. She had also planned to adopt a baby. On Wednesday, she did not want to miss a chance and made away with the baby,” said a senior police officer.