Karimnagar couple reunited with newborn after abandonment and verification

A couple who had earlier abandoned their baby in the Ooyala cradle at Karimnagar's MCHC returned to reclaim the child. After thorough verification and counselling, the boy was handed over to them by child welfare officials on Wednesday.

Karimnagar: In a heartening turn of events, a couple who had earlier abandoned their newborn son in the Ooyala cradle at the Mother and Child Health Centre (MCHC) returned and sought custody of the child.

After a thorough verification process, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) handed over the child to the parents on Wednesday.

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To protect abandoned infants, the district administration launched the Ooyala cradle initiative on May 12 this year, installing cradles at the MCHC and the district headquarters hospital.

On June 28, a baby boy was left in the Ooyala cradle at the MCHC by unidentified individuals. Upon receiving information, the Women and Child Welfare and Child Protection officials conducted medical tests and shifted the infant to Shishu Griha for care.

Subsequently, the couple who had left the baby approached the district welfare department, requesting that the child be returned to them. Acting on the request, CWC officials verified their identity using Aadhaar cards and medical records, and also coordinated with officials in the couple’s native district for further confirmation.

Once their identity was established beyond doubt, officials counselled the couple before formally handing over the child at Bala Raksha Bhavan, Zilla Parishad office, on Wednesday.