Cops identify mother of baby abandoned in Candelaria, Quezon cemetery

The mother of the two-month old baby boy who was found abandoned at a cemetery in Candelaria, Quezon has been identified by authorities.

Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, Calabarzon Police regional director, identified the mother as Lara Sentillas. Eleazar said she would face criminal charges over the abandonment of her baby.

“Lara Sentillas po ang name. Magco-coordinate po ang Candelaria police sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) para makasuhan,” Eleazar told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Tuesday.

The mother of the baby was identified after his grandmother Gloria Perez went to the Candelaria police station on Monday night, Quezon PD Senior Supt. Mon de Guzman told INQUIRER.net in a phone interview.

Charges for violation of the Republic Act No. 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law were being prepared against the mother,” De Guzman said.

As of writing, Eleazar said the baby was under the custody of Nelson Punzalan, chairman of Barangay Masin Norte, Candelaria, Quezon.

In a report submitted to Eleazar, Candelaria municipal police said the baby boy was found between two tombs by a resident on Monday morning, May 28.

“Initial investigation disclosed that at about 9:00 am, a resident heard a baby crying and when he looked around, he found the baby boy in between two tombs,” the report said.

According to the report, the resident immediately carried the baby to the home of the barangay chairman, Nelson Punzalan, to seek assistance.

Punzalan then brought the baby to the Candelaria police station and reported the incident.

The child was finally brought to the Candelaria Rural Health Unit for a medical check-up, the police report said. /vvp