Abandoned baby loses claimant

The woman who went to the hospital and claimed the baby left in a trash bin along General Maxilom Avenue last July 19 as her grandchild is now refusing to cooperate with authorities.

“The gender and development focal person of the barangay who initially coordinated with us said the family is no longer cooperating, “ said social worker Nads Noel of the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC).

Noel told Cebu Daily News that they fear that they might get in trouble with the family of the alleged baby’s mother.

Two weeks after a scavenger found him, the baby boy is still admitted at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC.

It will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 upon discharge for temporary custody.

Doctors initially told Cebu Daily News the baby does not have any abnormalities.

Noel said she wanted to talk to each of the families involved to determine and assess the situation.

“If I could talk to them, we will be able to know what happened and identify the reason why the baby ended up in the trash bin,” she explained.

The opinion of the DSWD 7 legal office will still have to be sought for proper actions to take, Noel added.

“Once the baby is brought here (RSCC), we will consult with our legal division on what to do next,” the DSWD 7 worker said.

A grace period of three months since the baby was found is given to the family to coordinate with authorities, otherwise the baby will be declared abandoned.

“If they fail to contact us after the three month deadline, they will no longer have any chance to claim the baby,” Noel explained.

Once declared abandoned, the baby will be included in the list of available babies for adoption.

Hours after hearing news of the baby found in a trash bin near their neighborhood, a woman rushed to the CCMC claiming the baby could be the child of her son.

The woman who asked not to be identified said she became suspicious with her son’s pregnant girlfriend because her abdomen suddenly lost its bulge.

When asked what happened, the woman said, her son’s girlfriend merely answered: “gikaon sa ungo.” (eaten by a monster.)