Helper, 15, admits dumping dead baby in garbage

MANILA, Philippines - A 15-year-old house helper has admitted dumping her dead premature baby in a garbage heap in Sta. Cruz, Manila over the weekend, reportedly due to mental anguish and desperation.

A scavenger had discovered the body of the seven-month-old baby boy among the garbage at the corner of Tayuman street in Sta. Cruz early Sunday morning.

The still weak and pale teen-mother, accompanied by her mother Jonna, went to the Manila Police District after undergoing cuterage treatment at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. According to the girl, she slipped in the bathroom of her employer’s house Saturday night resulting in the premature delivery of her baby. She said the father is her boyfriend whom she left in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental when she worked as a housemaid in Manila.

The girl said she noticed that her baby did not cry and was not moving, so she presumed that he was already dead. She said she panicked and was even afraid to report to her employer, so she wrapped the baby in plastic bag and threw it on a garbage heap.

She said she called her mother, who is also working as a maid in Pasay City, who brought her to the hospital for medical treatment.

Homicide section chief Inspector Armando Macaraeg led his men in “passing the hat” to collect money for buying medicine for the minor who is still in a state of shock. After debriefing and advice, the girl was allowed by Macaraeg to return home with no charges filed.