Free State mother arrested after two-day-old infant abandoned

A 25-year-old mother has been arrested for attempted murder and child abandonment after a two-day-old infant boy was found under a tree near the Theunissen hiking spot on the R30.

Free State Police Spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli says the mother was traced to Brandfort and arrested.

Kareli says she is set to appear in the Theunissen Magistrate’s Court soon.

“A male person and his cousin were walking to the hiking spot when an unknown African male informed them about a baby underneath a tree in the vicinity. The good Samaritans immediately investigated the area and found a few-day-old male infant. As heavy rain was imminent, the travellers took the infant home and immediately contacted Theunissen police and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The medical practitioners transported the baby boy to a local hospital for medical observation and care.”