The Ofaakor Circuit Court has remanded three persons in police custody for allegedly stealing a 12-day-old infant in Kasoa.
The three are Faustina Binney, a 32-year-old mobile money vendor, Eunice Koomson, a 36-year-old teacher, and Magdalene Nana Adwoa Boafo, a 28-year-old trader.
The three suspects have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit crime and child stealing.
The court, presided over by Mr. Oheneba Kuffour, has adjourned the matter to July 26, 2024.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP Thomas Sarfo and Chief Inspector Samuel Sarpong, said the complainant, Abigail Addison, is a 29-year-old unemployed and the mother of the 12-day-old baby girl.
It said Faustina, the first accused, lives in Ablekumah, Accra. Eunice and Magdalene, the second and third accused, reside in Kasoa, Ofaakor and are friends.
According to the prosecution, Faustina gave birth in May 2024 but lost the baby, making it her third time losing one.
As a result, the prosecution said Faustina informed her family and neighbours that she had given birth prematurely, and the baby was in an incubator.
The prosecution said Faustina later asked Eunice and Magdalene to help her get a newborn baby to replace her lost one.
The court heard that the following month, Magdalene contacted the complainant who was heavily pregnant and selling sachet water at Kasoa, Ofaakor, and that during the conversation, she (Magdalene) promised to help the complainant deliver safely.
Later, Magdalene introduced Faustina and Eunice to the complaint as sisters.
The prosecution said that all three accused began showering the complainant with gifts.
It said the accused took the complainant to antenatal appointments and even hired a room for her.
The prosecution said they made the landlord believe the complaint was their younger sister.
On July 10, 2024, the complainant gave birth to a baby girl at Kasoa Poly Clinic, and when the accused heard the news, they went to the clinic, paid all of the expenses, and persuaded the doctor to discharge the infant.
The prosecution said Faustina abruptly informed the complainant that the infant had an infection, and they were asked to send the child to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra for further treatment.
The prosecution said the complainant declined.
It said Magdalene told the complainant that she was hungry and suggested that they go buy food.
Later, Faustina and Eunice fled with the infant.
Three days later, all the accused went to see the complainant and her landlord, weeping, and informed them that the baby had died while being treated at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
The prosecution said the complainant and her landlord did not accept the explanation and reported the incident to the police in Kasoa DOVVSU.
Magdalene was arrested during the investigation, and in her cautionary statement, she admitted to the offence.
The prosecution said that Magdalene led the police to arrest Eunice, who then led the police to arrest Faustina.
The baby was rescued from Faustina.
GNA
