A 24-year-old woman has been arrested after the body of her 9-month-old infant was found in a pit latrine in Torit, Eastern Equatoria state, police said.
The infant’s body was discovered on March 30 after reportedly remaining in the latrine for two days, according to local authorities.
Lt. Col. Justine Kleopus Takuru, the police spokesperson in Eastern Equatoria, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that officers received a tip-off at about 4 p.m. from the Hai Kuku area and responded to the scene. The child was found dead upon retrieval.
Investigators later identified the suspect as Angeyo Oruta Saverio, who police say admitted to disposing of the infant. She is currently in custody as investigations continue.
Takuru said the woman told investigators she felt overwhelmed by her circumstances. She reportedly has two other children and said the father of the infant had denied responsibility for the pregnancy.
Takuru said the child’s body has since been buried in Torit.
Police urged women facing difficulties to seek support from the Special Protection Unit, which provides counseling and assistance for family-related issues. Takuru emphasized that child abandonment is a serious crime and called on the public to report such incidents.
An eyewitness, Augustine Ohiti, said a neighbor discovered the infant’s body after going to use the latrine.