By Maria Tembo

Ntchisi, 29 August, 2023, Mana: Police in Ntchisi on Monday arrested 30-year-old Mayines Banda for stealing a baby at Ntchisi District Hospital.

Confirming the arrest, Ntchisi police spokesperson, Glory Kondowe said the incident occurred in the morning hours of Monday when the guardian to the baby’s mother had gone to the guardian’s shelter to prepare food.

“The suspect approached the baby’s mother, Alinafe Hayiton and introduced herself as a friend to her guardian and offered to carry the newly born baby so that the mother could rest.

"While the mother was asleep, the suspect sneaked out of the Ward with the baby but was intercepted by the hospital perimeter guard," explained Kondowe.

Kondowe said the matter was reported to Ntchisi Police Station who later arrested the suspect and recovered the child.

The suspect appeared before court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the charge of stealing a child and was denied bail pending trial.

Banda hails from Chole village, Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi district.

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