Kuajok woman arrested for dumping baby in school latrine

KUAJOK – Authorities in Warrap State are holding a 23-year-old woman accused of dumping her newborn baby boy in a pit latrine at Malek‐Gumel Primary School in Kuajok over the weekend. The infant, who was wrapped in a cloth, miraculously survived after a passerby heard him crying and alerted authorities.

According to preliminary information shared with local officials, the mother allegedly became distressed following what sources described as a complicated marital situation and initially refused to breastfeed the baby. Her frustration is believed to have contributed to the incident, although investigations are ongoing.

James Kodok Madut, the Director of the Civil Defence Department (formerly Fire Brigade), confirmed the incident in a phone interview on Tuesday.

“What happened is that the baby was found by a passer-by who heard him crying and reported the matter to the police. When we arrived at the school, we found the infant alive inside the pit latrine,” Madut said.

He added that the baby was rushed to Kuajok Hospital, where medical staff are caring for him. The mother, who was also in a poor medical condition after delivery, is receiving treatment at the same facility.

Madut explained that she had complications related to the placenta and only agreed to breastfeed after receiving medical support.

According to Madut, the woman alleged that the man responsible for the pregnancy had abandoned her, leaving her without support and worsening her emotional and psychological state. “She said the partner did not show up at first until he suddenly appeared later, which contributed to the pressure she faced,” he said.

Authorities say the woman will be arraigned in court, although she will be entitled to legal defence. The case, officials warn, reflects a growing problem in many communities, where abandoned responsibilities and strained relationships leave young mothers vulnerable, sometimes resulting in tragic decisions.

Madut urged families, communities, and partners to support young mothers and work to prevent unplanned pregnancies, stressing that such incidents highlight wider social and family challenges affecting women and children in South Sudan.