Rwanda : Teen arrested for dumping new born baby in Pit latrine
Police in Gasabo District has arrested a 17-year old girl identified as Clarice Nyinawumuntu for allegedly dumping her new born baby in a pit latrine.
Nyinawumuntu a resident of Nyagatovu Cell in Kimironko Sector is suspected to have dumped her baby girl in a pit shortly after giving birth.
Police said the suspect was reported by a housemaid who found her breeding in bed as she arrived for her routine duties.
She immediately informed neighbours and police. Nyinawumuntu was rushed to Kacyiru Police Hospital (KPH) after losing a lot of blood. The body of the baby girl was also exhumed and taken to KPH for postmortem.
According to police, Infanticide is punishable to a life sentence upon conviction under article 143 of the penal code.
In a related development, another 17-year old girl identified as Marie Joseline Tugirurukundo, resident of Nyakabanda Cell in Niboye Sector, is detained at Kicukiro Police station for allegedly aborting a five-month fetus.
Any person who carries out self-induced abortion is liable to a term of imprisonment of one to three years and a fine of Rwf50, 000 to Rwf200, 000 upon conviction under article 162 of the new penal code.
Police say that a number of infanticide cases or voluntary abortion is a result of unwanted pregnancy as a direct result of defilement act.
Police in Ngororero District is also holding a man identified as Christophe Rukundo, 30, a resident of Nyange Sector, who is suspected to have defiled a 14-year old girl (name withheld).
The victim was rushed to Kabgayi hospital while the suspect is held at Nyange police station.
Defilement is punishable to a sentence of between 20 and 25 years under article 191 of the new penal code, when convicted.
