Newborn's Body Exhumed For Autopsy After Baby's Mysterious Death, Parents Charged

The police in India exhumed Tuesday the remains of a newborn baby, who was buried by her parents on June 12, to investigate the mysterious death of the infant.

A 36-year-old woman had given birth to the baby girl at a hospital in the southern state of Tamil Nadu on June 12. The woman had suffered severe blood loss and was referred to another hospital for further treatment. The police said the woman left the hospital the same day after stuffing the newborn baby inside a bag, media outlet DT Next reported.

When a nurse from a local health care facility visited the woman, she was told the baby had died, The Times of India reported.

Local police were informed about the incident and an investigation was launched. The child's body was then exhumed and sent for an autopsy.

The autopsy was carried out by a team of doctors from Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital in the presence of officials from the revenue department.

The police registered a case against the couple under sections 176 (omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of an offense or giving false information to screen offender) of the Indian Penal Code.

Authorities said additional charges could be placed against the parents based on the autopsy report.

In April, the body of newborn baby girl was exhumed after the police suspected the child may have been a victim of female infanticide. The incident took place in the state of Tamil Nadu. C. Kasthuri, 27, had given birth to the child on April 4 at a hospital. A day after the delivery, she and her husband left the hospital without informing the doctors. A few days later, the child died and the family buried the body without informing authorities. Neighbors suspected foul play and informed the police. They said the family was desperate for a boy as they already had two daughters, but were upset after the third one also turned out to be a girl. The family members claimed the newborn baby died unexpectedly due to some illness. The health officials were not convinced and ordered to exhume the baby's body for an autopsy.