Body found in shallow grave
A HIGH school female student is in police custody after the body of a male baby was discovered in the Henderson area, Sunday morning.
Guadalcanal Provincial police commander, Stanley Riolo, told the Solomon Star his officers arrested the student Tuesday afternoon.
“We believe she is the mother of the dead baby,” Mr Riolo said.
He added police believed the baby was delivered on Friday night and then buried in a shallow grave.
It’s not known at this stage whether the baby was buried alive or dead.
Mr Riolo said the body was discovered on Sunday morning after dogs unearthed it from the shallow grave.
“It was a baby boy,” the police commander said.
“My officers attended the scene and took care of the innocent infant’s body.
“It was taken to the National Referral Hospital for a post-mortem.
“The medical examination should be carried out today (Tuesday),” Mr Riolo said.
He said after an investigation, the girl was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and is being kept in police custody for questioning.
Mr Riolo said investigations are continuing.
This latest incident has shocked women’s groups and is now a subject of social media discussion.
“While this is a shocking and sad incident, we would also like to see the mother of the baby given counselling,” president of Honiara Council of Women Martha Alacky said.
She said the girl was already going through a traumatic situation and her arrest will only worsen her situation.
“We think the girl should be released to undergo counselling while police continue to investigate the matter.
“We also believe the father of the baby must also be arrested and charged to make it fair.
“It’s unfair to charge the girl alone while the other party remains free,” Mrs Alacky said.
By CHARLEY PIRINGI
