A 26-year-old student nurse has been placed under police guard at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital after allegedly attempting to dispose of her newborn baby in a pit latrine.
The shocking incident occurred around 03:00 on Friday morning at Engela village in the Ohangwena Region. According to a police report, a family member was woken up by the sound of a baby crying from inside the latrine and quickly called for help.
Police officers and emergency services responded swiftly and managed to rescue the newborn girl from the pit. Medical staff later confirmed that the baby was born prematurely at approximately 28 weeks but is currently in stable condition alongside the mother.
The woman is expected to face a charge of attempted murder as investigations into the matter continue.
Community members have expressed their sadness over the incident, with some calling for greater awareness and support for young women dealing with unplanned pregnancies.
Authorities have encouraged the public to seek help or counseling in such situations rather than resort to dangerous actions that could cost lives.
