An infant believed to be only days old was abandoned in the bushes in South Denpasar yesterday afternoon, with police now investigating the case.
The newborn was reportedly discovered by a local meatball seller by chance, as he heard the baby boy’s cries when he was passing through the area. The baby was naked when found, and had several scratches on his skin. Authorities estimate that he is around three days old.
The baby is now being cared for at Sanglah General Hospital in Denpasar, and police suspect that he was born out of wedlock.
Hadimastika Karsito Putra, who heads the general crimes unit in South Denpasar sub-precinct, told local media outlets today that three witnesses have so far been questioned.
“This case of the found baby is still being looked into,” Hadimastika said.
Bali has unfortunately seen numerous cases of abandoned babies in the past, one of which took place in 2019 and involved a couple who ditched their baby to escape the cultural stigma of having a child out of wedlock. They were arrested soon after the baby was found dead on the side of the street in Bangli regency. Police at the time suggested that the solution for the problem was that young couples should get married.
