A 24-year-old woman is in custody following the discovery of a newborn baby boy abandoned near a drainage channel in the Free State province, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The suspect, a resident of Mandela Park near Phuthaditjhaba, was arrested and has been charged with attempted murder. She is expected to make her first appearance before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 19 February 2026.
According to a statement released by Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State, the infant was found on Sunday afternoon by a local shepherd.
“On Monday, 16 February 2026 – A livestock shepherd made a distressing discovery of a new born baby boy who had been abandoned near a Riverside location drainage on Sunday afternoon,” the statement read.
The incident occurred on Sunday, 15 February 2026, at approximately 16:12. The shepherd, who was tending to his cattle in the area, heard cries coming from the vicinity of the drainage channel.
“Upon investigating, he discovered a newborn baby boy wrapped in a blue fleece blanket and lying abandoned near the drainage channel,” WO Mophiring said.
Emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene. The infant, whose umbilical cord was reportedly still attached, was rushed to a local hospital for urgent medical treatment.
At the time of the rescue, the identity of the child’s mother was unknown. However, following the arrest, the investigation has been formally transferred to the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit.
“The matter has been referred to the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for further investigation on a charge of attempted murder,” WO Mophiring confirmed.
Further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the abandonment or the condition of the infant have not yet been released.