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'I'm a rape victim': Mother pens heartbreaking letter left with abandoned baby
A 3-month old baby boy was found on Thursday next to a house in Paniaran village of North Tapanuli, North Sumatra. His mother wrote in a letter found next to the baby that she had been a victim of rape and that she did not have the means to care for him.
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Illustration of a baby's hand. (Shutterstock/nattanan726)
R
esidents of Paniaran village in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, found a 3-month old baby boy who had been left next to a house in the village on Thursday along with a letter from his mother, who claimed to be a victim of rape.
A Paniaran resident, Marsaulina Nababan, 52, discovered the baby as she was throwing out her garbage on Thursday evening, as reported by kompas.com. The baby was crying and wrapped neatly in a cloth. Marsaulina reported her finding to the police.
North Tapanuli Police spokesperson First Adj. Insp. Walpon Baringbing said on Friday the police had found a letter at the location the baby was found, reportedly written by the baby's mother, who said she was a victim of rape.
Read also: Rape survivors often have to bear it alone
Concluding from the letter, Walpon said the mother could not afford to take care of the baby due to financial constraints. The letter was written as follows:
"To the people who discover this baby, I'm asking for your help to take care of my baby. I can't look after him because I live alone. I'm a rape victim of an evil man who doesn't want to take responsibility for his actions. I didn’t even know him.
I can't afford to take care of the baby because I don't have a job. Other than begging for money, I don't have a place to live.
I wanted to put him into an orphanage, but they didn't accept him because I didn't have recorded personal data. I don't have an ID card, nor a family card. Once again, please help look after my child because I truly can't afford to do it. I love my baby, and I don't want him to suffer by living with me.
He is sick, look at his head. He was born on Dec. 12, 2019. His name is Malidan Azka and he is a Muslim."
Walpon said the baby was in a healthy condition and was currently being treated at the Paniaran health center. "We've coordinated with the North Tapanuli Social Agency regarding the baby’s future care,” he said, as quoted by kompas.com. (ars)
