A shocking tragedy has rocked the community of Ciriè, near Turin. A 38-year-old woman was arrested on the horrific charge of attempted infanticide after giving birth to her baby girl in her home toilet, presumably under the influence of crack cocaine.
The newborn, born prematurely, is now hospitalized in desperate conditions, while the mother has been transferred to prison.
The discovery and first aid
The alarm was raised on the evening of Monday, November 24, when the woman's brother called 118. Upon arriving at the home, which belongs to the 38-year-old's mother, rescuers found a horrific scene: the woman, confused and in tears, was on the floor, while her baby daughter was in the toilet, her head partially submerged.
It is estimated that the baby remained in that condition for at least twenty minutes. Medical staff immediately performed CPR on the newborn before rushing her to Maria Vittoria Hospital, where she was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.
The mother's incredible story
To the nurses who were treating her, the woman gave a version of events that investigators found to be unreliable. She stated that she had never realized she was pregnant and that she had panicked during the birth.
However, one crucial detail doesn't add up in her reconstruction: the 38-year-old apparently managed to cut the umbilical cord herself, an action that requires a lucidity and awareness that are hard to reconcile with her account of shock and unawareness. She also couldn't explain how she accomplished this feat.
The newborn's condition and the arrest
The baby girl, born in the seventh month of pregnancy and weighing just one kilogram, is in critical condition. More than 24 hours after the incident, doctors are maintaining a strictly confidential prognosis and are not giving any estimates on her chances of survival. The mother, initially admitted to Ciriè Hospital for tests, was reached Tuesday evening by Carabinieri officers from the local station. Once her condition stabilized, she was served with a detention order and immediately transferred to prison.
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This is a truly serious incident that has shocked the community. It's hard to believe a mother could do such a terrible thing to her baby, even if she was in a state of confusion. We hope the newborn recovers soon.