Bargarh: A couple allegedly sold their 17-day-old newborn boy to a childless couple due to extreme poverty. The couple already has five children and was recently blessed with a baby boy. With no means to take care of their sixth child, the couple reportedly sold it to a family.
The incident has been reported from Khairapali under Sohela block of Odisha’s Bargarh district. After getting the information, the District Child Protection Officers rushed to the village and rescued the newborn boy. However, the couple denied selling the baby or taking any money.
“I already have a one-year-old baby. I was worried that one of them might die as I could not take care of them both at the same time. They promised that they would take proper care of the baby. We did not sell our baby; we sacrificed for its better future. We haven’t taken any money,” claimed the baby’s mother.
Similarly, the baby’s father said, “We met each other at the hospital. We started talking as friends when he enquired about my children. I said that I have five boys and one girl. So, he requested me to give him the newborn boy as he is childless. He assured me that he would take proper care of the baby. As I cannot give a better future to the baby, I handed over the baby to him.”
“I had been to the hospital when I saw the couple’s newborn boy. They were struggling to take care of their children. So, I requested them to hand over the newborn to me. We will take good care of the baby. All we want is the boy to have a happy and safe future,” told the man who had taken the baby.
When contacted, the child protection officer said that a probe was on and necessary action would be taken in this regard.