Mom drowns newborn in Sta. Mesa canal

A 21-year-old single mother was charged with infanticide for allegedly drowning a baby girl she delivered before dawn Sunday.

A resident had discovered the baby’s body half-submerged in a shallow canal in Sta. Mesa, Manila a few hours later.

The Manila police’s medico-legal chief, Superintendent Romeo Salen, said the cause of the baby’s death was “asphyxia by drowning,” indicating the baby was still alive when placed in the flowing water of the canal. The baby was estimated to be born full term.

Homicide investigators identified the baby’s mother as Ivy Belvis who was traced to a boarding house near the canal.

During interrogation, Belvis admitted giving birth in the comfort room of the boarding house at around 2 to 3 a.m. Sunday. She said she thought the baby was stillborn since she did not cry. She placed the infant face down in the canal, thinking the current would carry the body away.

Belvis appeared calm during questioning. She said she took a painkiller just before she gave birth. She refused to name the baby’s father, saying he will reveal himself in due time, but added that he lives near her and is separated from his wife.

Belvis’s elder sister, Mary Love, who rushed to the police upon hearing the news, was surprised when she learned that her sister had been pregnant. She said she did not notice the bulge in her sister’s belly every time she paid her a visit at her boarding house.

Mary Love, who is living in Manila with her husband and two children, said their parents are living in a province in the Visayas. Mary Love said she will request a psychiatric evaluation of her sister since “she manifested unusual behavior lately.”  

SPO1 Paul Dennis Javier said Belvis refused to undergo medical examination. “It is her right to refuse. But we are concerned about her condition since she had given birth only two days ago,” he said.