Newborn baby boy 'stolen' from Odisha hospital; family lodges complaint

A newborn baby boy was allegedly stolen from the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital on Saturday.

The family members have lodged a complaint in this regard at the nearest police station.

As per the allegation by the family members, the newborn baby was stolen by a woman from the maternity ward of the hospital.

Meanwhile, the accused woman has been identified from the CCTV footage of the camera installed in a nearby ward. The woman was seen accompanying an ASHA worker. On the pretext of vaccination, she was found taking the newborn baby.

"The woman came with an ASHA worker and asked me to give the baby so that she could take him to the child ward for a check-up. I gave her the baby. I don't know the woman and I am yet to get back my baby," said the infant's mother Anita Dandpat.

In response to the allegation, the hospital authorities have assured that the newborn baby will be found soon.

"The child is not missing. We have traced the ASHA worker and the woman accompanying her from the CCTV footage. Most probably, the baby will be found soon," said Balasore Public Health Officer Mrutyunjay Mishra.