Police have warned parents against acts of neglecting and abandoning their own kids bunder the excuse of lack of means to support them.
The call follows last week’s inhumane act where a mother abandoned her baby boy of about two months in the bush in Karambo Cell of Gatenga Sector in Kicikiro District.
The baby boy was found by a man identified as Richard Uwimana, who reported to police.
Police Spokesperson for the central region, Supt Modeste Mbabazi described the act as “inhumane” which shouldn’t be torelated.
“The general argument that the mother has no means has no basis because almost all these mothers who throw their own children have never approached anyone or local leaders for help,” said Supt. Mbabazi.
“Imagine bearing the nine months pregnancy and you decide to end the life of an innocent baby just like that. The baby shouldn’t be the victim of your misbehavior and improper planning.”
He advised girls to always plan when to have children instead of resorting to such criminal act punishable by the law.
He said that the baby is now safe and health after medical examination, adding that Police is still looking for the mother to face judicial action.
Under article 231 of the penal code, a parent or a guardian who abandons or causes to be abandoned, neglects or causes to be neglected a child in an open place and is found shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of two to five years and a fine of Rwf20, 000 to Rwf100, 000.
A parent or a guardian who abandons a child in a solitary place and is found shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of more than five years to seven years and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf200, 000.
Leave a Reply