Police in Serere district are holding a 19-year-old woman over alleged theft of a one-week old baby.
Caroline Judith Adong is currently being detained at Soroti Central Police station after she reportedly stole the child belonging to Fiona Adong, her friend from Soroti Taxi Park, on June 23rd, 2017.
Micheal Odongo, East Kyoga regional police spokesperson says Judith Adong later breastfed the baby for one month yet she is HIV-positive.
Odongo says the duo had both travelled from Serere district and upon arrival at the Taxi Park in Soroti, the suspect was given the child while the mother was going for a short-call. The suspect reportedly disappeared and subsequently returned to their village with the child.
Police has since handed over the baby to Amecet Children's Home in Soroti since the mother cannot easily start breastfeeding again after a month without the baby.
Judith Adong has denied the charge saying she was left with no option after the mother of the child had abandoned her baby soon after their arrival at the taxi park. She claimed to have innocently been breastfeeding the child saying did not know her HIV status.
Police has preferred a charge of child stealing against her contrary to Section 159 (1) (B) of the Penal Code Act. A police medical report indicates the baby is HIV negative and recommends for a confirmatory test after a month.
Fiona Adong, the mother of the child says she misses her baby and suggests that the child be given back to her after about six months when she can be able to feed him with soft food.
