Eight-month-old fetus found

CEBU, Philippines - A mother may face criminal charges if proven that she intentionally aborted her eight-month-old baby which was discovered by her neighbors yesterday morning placed in a box in Barangay Guba, Cebu City.

Norlyn Arcayan Patindol, 28, was reportedly suffering from fever and allegedly drank medicine tablets. Few hours later, the fetus, a boy, came out of her womb and died.

SPO3 Rey Cuyos of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office said they had to take the infant to the Cebu City Medical Center to determine if it was a case of abortion.

Cuyos, however, said that Dr. Putri Natizah Mangasi of the Cebu City Medical Center declared that the baby was delivered normally. Mangasi also stated that had the mother intended to abort the baby, she could have done it when the baby was still a few months old.

The baby, nevertheless, was taken to St. Francis Funeral Homes and will be subjected to post mortem examination to be conducted by Dr. Nestor Sator of the PNP Crime Laboratory.

Patindol explained to the police that her fever was high so she had to take medicines starting 5 a.m. last Friday. The baby was prematurely delivered at 3 a.m. yesterday.

She also said that she placed the baby in a box beside her house and did not bury him.

It was Barangay Coucilor Lito Ardiente who reported the matter to the Cebu City Mobile Group, which referred it to the Homicide Section.   (FREEMAN NEWS)