Girl who killed baby to undergo mental assessment

Chuka, Saturday, May 20, 2023

K.N.A By Emmanuel Mwangi

A 17 years old girl charged with killing her child in a Chuka court was ordered to undergo mental assessment.

Sharon Mukami was presented before Chuka Principal Magistrate, D.A Ocharo, charged with giving birth and dumping the baby in a toilet.

The Court heard that on 10th May, 2023 Mukami from Kibugua Sub-location, Magumoni Ward in Tharaka Nithi County, gave birth and later dumped the baby who was yet to get a name in a toilet.

The villagers reported to the area Assistant Chief that there was a body of a baby dumped in a toilet who immediately reported the matter to Kibugua Police Station.

 The body of the deceased was retrieved and taken to Chuka Level Four Hospital mortuary.

The Court further heard that the suspect was arrested and taken to Chuka Level Four Hospital for medical check-up that indeed confirmed that she was the mother of the deceased infant.

Mukami pleaded guilty to the charges and pleaded with the court for leniency, arguing that she was not sure of what happened on the said date.

"I would request forgiveness before the Court because I don't know what transpired. I gave birth normally but after delivery I got unconscious and when I woke up, I found there was no baby or the placenta. There was only blood," said Mukami who is a form three dropout.

The suspect, while being interrogated by the Court, confessed she was not married and was a form three dropout who was raised by a single mother.

The accused also added, after throwing the baby away, she had resumed work where she was arrested.

Following the confession from Mukami, the Principal Magistrate ruled that none of the confessions were making any logic because the explanation behind the mysterious disappearance and death of the baby were not coming out clearly.

The Court further ruled that due to her tender age and being a first-time offender, the accused could possibly have a big psychological problem that may need help.

The Magistrate ordered the accused to remain under custody at Chuka Police Station, while an Officer will be writing a Report about her progress until 29th May 2023 for the next hearing of the case. 

Courtesy K.N.A