The police in the Oshana region are appealing to the public to assist in identifying the parents or relatives of a newborn baby girl who was found abandoned in an open space at Oshakati’s Uupindi location last week.

Speaking to The Namibian on Tuesday, Oshana head of criminal investigations deputy commissioner John Mwatongwe said the infant was discovered near a bar at Uupindi, one of Oshakati’s informal settlements.

“The baby is still at the hospital. The mother, the father or any member of the family is not yet known. The baby is probably a month old or maybe younger than that,” Mwatongwe said.

He said the child was found in an open area near the bar and not inside the establishment.

“She was found at a bar area, not inside. We urge members of the public to assist the police and the gender ministry in finding the family of this baby,” he said.

Mwatongwe added that someone in the community may have information that could help authorities trace the child’s family.

“I strongly believe someone knows whose baby this is. Maybe you know your friend, brother or sister had a baby and he or she does not have the baby anymore. We appeal to the public to help us find the mother or at least the parents or family members,” he said.

“If the mother does not want the baby, what about the grandfather or grandmother, brother or sister? We need to find the family of this child,” he said.

The baby remains under medical care while investigations continue.

The incident follows another case reported earlier this year. In March, The Namibian reported that a newborn baby boy was found abandoned at Omungwelume church in the Ohangwena region.

The police have urged anyone with information that could assist in identifying the child’s parents or relatives to contact the nearest police station.

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