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Kinyarwanda
A 21-year old woman, resident of Rugendabari sector in Burera District has been arrested for allegedly killing her baby after giving birth.
It is said that the suspect, who is currently held at Rusarabuye Police Station, gave birth to a healthy baby boy last Thursday.
According to the Police preliminary investigations, the suspect strangled and buried the baby in her parents’ farm two days later.
The suspect was still living with her parents at the time of the alleged crime.
The inhuman act came to light after area residents, who knew that the suspect was pregnant, saw her without the pregnancy.
The neighbours then informed their Community Policing Community (CPC), who in turn reported the matter to Police.
The suspect, who confessed to the crime, said she was forced to commit the heartless act because she had no means to look after the child.
The tot’s body was exhumed by Police for postmortem.
Superintendent (SP) Emmanuel Hitayezu, the Northern Region Police Spokesperson condemned the act.
“Giving birth is something that must be planned but not a mistake. Girls should therefore abstain until they are ready to bear a child,” Supt Hitayezu advised.
He also warned the youth against drug abuse, which he said is one of the things that lure them into unprotected sex and to commit such criminal acts.
He also called upon parents to spare time for their children to advise them on how to live a better life.
Hitayezu further advised parents not to harass or chase their daughters because of the unwanted pregnancy.
Killing of a biological or adopted child is termed as infanticide under the Rwandan penal code, which is punishable with a life sentence under article 143.
