A 30-year-old woman from Chipulukusu Township in Ndola, Zambia has been detained for manslaughter after her one-year-six-month-old child was found dead beneath her body.
The incident was reported by her husband, Harrison Mumba, on January 25.
Mr Mumba stated that he found his son, Harrison Junior, under his mother, Matilda Phiri, who was allegedly drunk and fast asleep.
Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer Peacewell Mweemba confirmed the development, stating that the child was found with a whitish substance coming out of his nostrils.
According to Mr Mweemba, the incident occurred on January 24 at 20:30 hours.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the mother was intoxicated. Reliable sources indicate that she has been drinking irresponsibly over the past months,” Mr Mweemba said.
He explained that at about 20:00 hours, Mr Mumba was moving items from his shop into the house. As he placed the items in the bedroom, he noticed something unusual.
“There was no power, and it was dark, so Mr Mumba switched on his torch and saw his wife lying on top of the baby,” Mr Mweemba said.
Concerned, Mr Mumba pushed his wife aside to free the baby but noticed a whitish substance coming out of the child’s nostrils.
Despite his efforts to shake the baby, there was no response, indicating the child was lifeless.
“He then tried to wake the mother, but she was unresponsive as she was heavily intoxicated. After persistent efforts, she eventually woke up. Mr Mumba explained the situation to her, and the couple rushed the child to Mapalo Clinic, where they were advised to proceed to Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital,” Mr Mweemba said.
He said upon arrival, doctors examined the baby and informed the couple that the child was already dead.
“The infant’s body was deposited in the hospital mortuary, awaiting a possible postmortem and burial. The couple was later advised to report the matter to Mapalo Police Post, where the mother was subsequently detained for the offence of manslaughter,” Mr. Mweemba said.
