Street in Wau town, WBGs. (Photo" Social media).

Police in Western Bahr el Ghazal have arrested a young woman following the discovery of a dead newborn baby at a garbage dumping site in Wau town.

State police spokesperson Santino Uduol confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect was taken into custody after the infant’s body was discovered near Comboni Hospital.

“The police wish to inform the public about the body of the deceased infant was discovered in a dumping site near Comboni hospital,” he said.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the infant belongs to a woman who had undergone a caesarean birth. After delivery the baby passed away,” he added.

Uduol said the infant’s body had initially been handed over to the suspect to arrange burial after the mother remained under medical care.

“The body was given to the young woman accompanying the mother to take for burial instead. Instead, the young woman allegedly dumped the body,” he said.

He added that the suspect was arrested after police launched investigations following the discovery.

“Our traffic police found the body this morning and we carried the investigation and found the mother recovering at the hospital. We arrested the young woman and the police is investigating the case,” Uduol said.

Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances and motive behind the incident.