Mother Faces Child Abandonment Charge After Leaving Newborn at Jeetoo Hospital

A 38-year-old woman is under police investigation in Mauritius on a charge of child abandonment, after she left her newborn baby at Dr A. G. Jeetoo Hospital in Port Louis and walked away — with the infant seeing her only on rare visits since. **What happened** On 30 May 2026, the woman gave birth to a baby boy at her home. She was then taken to hospital along with the newborn so that both could receive medical care. A few hours after arriving, however, she signed her own discharge papers and left the hospital — without her child. In the weeks and months that followed, she returned to the hospital to see her son only on very rare occasions. The baby remained at the hospital without a consistent caregiver. **Authorities step in** Faced with the situation, the **Family Welfare and Protection Unit (FWPU)** — the Mauritian police unit responsible for cases involving vulnerable women and children — took charge of the matter. The unit applied for an **Emergency Protection Order (EPO)** from the **Children's Court**, a specialised court in Mauritius that handles legal matters concerning minors. The EPO was granted, and the infant was placed in a registered shelter where he is now being cared for. A formal police investigation was opened on Monday, 28 September 2026. **What is child abandonment under Mauritian law?** Child abandonment is a criminal offence in Mauritius. It covers situations where a parent or guardian deliberately leaves a child — particularly one too young to fend for themselves — without adequate care or supervision. Convictions can carry significant penalties, including imprisonment. **Dr A. G. Jeetoo Hospital**, located in Port Louis, is one of Mauritius's main public hospitals and a key referral centre for the capital region. **What this means** This case highlights the role of Mauritius's child protection framework in responding to vulnerable newborns. The involvement of the FWPU and the Children's Court demonstrates that emergency legal tools exist to remove children from unsafe situations quickly — without waiting for a lengthy criminal process to conclude. The baby's placement in a shelter ensures he receives care while the investigation proceeds. The woman now faces a criminal charge that could result in prosecution before the courts. The outcome of the police inquiry will determine whether the case is referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for formal charges. Source: ION News