Infant at welfare home brought dead to hospital

Ananya fell into a bucket of water and drowned

A 15-month-old girl, housed at a government-run home for abandoned infants, was brought dead to a nearby hospital on Thursday afternoon.

The police identified the deceased as Ananya. Anonymous persons had dropped her, a few days after she was born, at the “cradle” in front of the Child Welfare Centre here last year.

Circle Inspector, Thampanoor, Sheen Tharayil, said Ananya was brought dead to the Women and Children's Hospital, Thycaud, at 2 p.m.

He said the child's caretaker, Arunima, told the police that Ananya fell into a bucket of water and drowned. The “accident” happened when Arunima was preparing food for 53 toddlers in the council's care, including Ananya. She, along with other caretakers, rushed the child to the hospital. Doctors at the hospital pronounced Ananya “brought dead” at the time of admission.

The police have registered a case of unnatural death in connection with the incident. They conducted an inquest of the infant's body.

A team of doctors will supervise the autopsy to be held at the Government Medical College Hospital on Friday. Chempazhanthy Anil, Child Welfare Council member, said matters had been lax at the council's child-care centre for the past few years now.

Recently, following disputes in the council, the High Court had ordered the District Collector to conduct its day-to-day affairs.

The Administrative Officer of the Child Welfare Council, in his report to District Collector K. N. Satheesh, recommended the suspension of three of its staff members following the death of the infant.