PANAJI
A 43-day-old baby died at a government-registered childcare institute in Ponda, sparking a police inquiry and likely scrutiny by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD). The infant’s death comes barely days after he was admitted by an estranged Vasco-based couple.
While the Ponda police registered a case of unnatural death, WCD officials have indicated they may hold an inquiry into the incident.
According to the police, the baby had been fed bottled milk around 6-6:30 pm on the fateful day, just like the other days. When the attendant returned at 8 pm to feed him again, she found the baby unresponsive and immediately alerted the in-house doctor, who then rushed to a children’s hospital, where the baby was pronounced dead.
While initial suspicions pointed to choking, a post-mortem later ascertained the baby had died due to ‘aspiration pneumonia.’
A senior WCD official raised concerns over how pneumonia symptoms went unnoticed despite the facility’s responsibility to provide 24-hour care, as it also operates as a registered adoption agency.
“Although the police may have given a clean chit to the institution based on the information so far, we will call for reports from the facility and the police. Decision on the inquiry will follow after examining these reports,” the WCD official said.
Over a year ago, a 7-year-old special child succumbed to her injuries after she fell in a hot water tub at a private childcare institute for special children. Despite a chargesheet filed by the Old Goa police, the Sessions Court discharged its Manager and Warden citing that the evidence did not prove a high level of negligence or rashness.
