Unmarried mother of abandoned baby wants him back

KOTA KINABALU: An unmarried mother who allegedly abandoned her newborn baby boy on a relative’s doorstep with a poignant note now wants him back.

Sources from the Welfare Department said the woman, who is in her late 20s, had been identified.

She was said to have abandoned the baby at the house in Kota Belud district on June 30.

Her family is now laying claim on the baby, named Yusof, who was supposed to have been adopted by a clerk.

This new development has complicated the adoption process.

However, it is learnt that police have picked up the mother to facilitate investigations for exposure and abandonment of a child under 12.

The clerk who found the baby at her doorstep had wanted to adopt him after the police wrapped up their investigations.

Kota Belud Welfare Department child protector Salbiah Jemon said the department is studying legal aspects of the matter, which includes advice from the Islamic affairs department and who will be the best person to care for the baby.

Meanwhile, sources said the baby’s mother claimed she had hidden her pregnancy from everyone, including her boyfriend who is in the peninsula.

“But it is surprising that those living under the same roof with her did not notice that she was pregnant,” the source said.

Kota Belud police chief Supt Mohd Zaidi Abdullah could not be contacted to confirm the mother’s arrest.- Star