12 April,2011 06:38 AM IST | | Priyanka Vora
Parents return to JJ Hospital only to desert 45-day-old infant again, saying they are not ready to take care of her; officials hand over toddler to adoption centre
Most of us fear the feeling of abandonment but few have to actually live it. But, this 45-day-old infant has had to live through abandonment twice over in her very short life.
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After being deserted the first time after she was detected to have Down's Syndrome and a congenital heart defect, the parents surfaced again only to reject her second time stating that they were unable to handle a sick infant.
The abandoned baby, suffering from Down's Syndrome, at JJ Hospital's paediatrics ward
On February 22, a 45-day-old baby girl was deserted by her parents Rachna and Ravindra Parab at JJ Hospital's paediatrics ward after being informed that their child was suffering from Down's Syndrome ('45-day-old baby girl deserted at hospital', April 6).
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However, medical staff at the hospital said that a day after MiD DAY reported the news, the parents returned to the hospital.
"The parents came to us and we were happy that they realised their mistake and were ready to care for the child. However, during counselling, they told me they were not ready to keep the baby," said Leela Pereira, social worker, JJ Hospital.
"Ravindra told me that he is unemployed and they already have an 11-year-old daughter. Adding to their woes is the fact that Rachna is undergoing psychiatric treatment and is unable to care for the child," Pereira added.
Realising that they did not want the child, hospital staff requested the parents to sign over the baby to an adoption centre. However, staff was shocked when the Parabs failed to return to the hospital yesterday.
Having no other options left, Pereira presented the case to the child welfare committee.
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"The committee has now handed over the custody of the baby to the Bal Asha Trust at Mahalaxmi, who will be the official custodian of the baby and look after her.
We also named the girl Durga, as her will to live is commendable," said Pereira. The hospital authorities also registered a case under Section 317 of the IPC (see box) at the JJ Marg police station and officials are looking for the whereabouts of the parents.
The law
Under Section 317 of the IPC, abandoning a child below 12 years of age by parents or a caretaker is a criminal offence attracting a maximum jail-term of seven years.
