Grieving mother poses as nurse, kidnaps newborn from Marikina hospital
The newborn baby reunited with his mother. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Maan Teodoro facebook page)
Police arrested a woman who allegedly posed as a nurse and kidnapped a newborn baby from Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City.
According to the Marikina Police, the incident occurred at around 11:00 p.m. on Dec. 26 but was reported the following afternoon by the hospital’s duty guard.
The suspect, wearing a scrub suit, went to the fourth floor of the hospital and approached mothers who had recently given birth and asked who among the babies had not yet undergone newborn screening.
Three mothers raised their hands, but only one — a 20-year-old woman who gave birth on Dec. 25, handed over her baby.
The other two mothers refused, due to the absence of a hospital staff member who could accompany the baby.
The mother, who had been awakened at the time, also gave the suspect her baby’s medical records after being told that the infant would be returned the following day at 11:00 a.m.
However, when the baby was still missing the next morning, hospital staff were alerted, and an investigation was launched.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage reviewed by police showed the suspect placing the infant in a bassinet before exiting through the emergency room.
She was later seen boarding a tricycle toward a nearby mall and then traveling to a hospital in Pasig City, where she was met by her boyfriend.
Authorities said the suspect attempted to register the child there as her own.
Police said the suspect was identified with the help of hospital personnel who had earlier spoken with her, including one staff member who saw her face after she removed her mask.
The baby recovered and was safely returned to the parents on the evening of Dec. 29.
Police said the female suspect admitted she had recently suffered a miscarriage and committed the crime out of fear of disappointing her relatives, who were expecting her to bring home her own child.
The suspect and her boyfriend are now in police custody and will face charges of kidnapping and failure to return a minor.