Angry over birth of fourth girl, mother kills infant in Dahanu

The Dahanu police have arrested a 35-year-old woman for allegedly killing her newborn daughter a week after delivery. Police said the woman was upset that her fourth child was again a girl, as she had been hoping for a boy. 

Police have identified the accused woman as Poonam Saha, a resident of West Bengal. Police said the incident took place on April 26. The accused had been staying with her mother in Dahanu for the past three months during her pregnancy.

“Poonam already has three daughters, and she was hoping for a son. Last week, she delivered a baby girl at the Dahanu sub-district hospital. She was very upset that the child was again a girl. On April 26, at midnight, she placed her hand over the baby’s nose and mouth, suffocating her. The infant died from a lack of oxygen,” said a police officer.

The officer further added, “In the morning, the family rushed the baby to the hospital, where the doctor declared her dead and informed the police. We then sent the infant’s body for post-mortem.” The report confirmed that the infant died due to suffocation caused by lack of oxygen, following which they arrested the accused mother. 

During interrogation, Saha admitted that she took this step due to depression. Shah said she wanted a baby boy and was upset that the newborn was again a girl and therefore killed her, said the officer. Police said they have registered a case against Saha and have begun their investigation.