College student detained for allegedly dumping newborn in bin

The police have detained a college student who allegedly dumped her newborn baby girl in a trash bin at an apartrment building in Samajaya in Kuching, Sarawak.

A cleaner at the Samajaya Apartment in Usahajaya Road who stumbled on the baby's remains in a red cardboard box about 10am today, alerted the apartment management which in turn, alerted the police.

State CID chief Dev Kumar said a police team picked up the 24-year-old third-year diploma student about 12.30pm  at a unit of the apartment.

In a statement in Kuching, he said initial investigations revealed the suspect, from Belaga, Kapit had delivered the baby about 6.30am in the bathroom of the apartment unit, adding that she studied at a nearby college.

"We are initially investigating the case under section 318 of the Penal Code for concealment of birth by disposal of a dead body.

"However, if we find evidence the baby was still alive when she was dumped, we will recommend that the suspect be charged with murder," he added.

Dev said this was the first case of baby dumping in the state this year.

Last year, there were 10 such cases.

- Bernama