Newborn found buried alive in a field, rescued by villagers

A newborn baby girl found buried alive in a field was rescued by villagers in Anjira village of  Jajpur district, India, last Saturday, the New Indian Express reports.

The baby had been buried in a field in a hamlet named Shyamsundarpur. More photos after the cut.

Villagers came to her rescue after a passing schoolgirl raised the alarm, having spotted her feet moving above the earth. They dug her out and, finding she was still breathing, passed her over to a community health activist from the Asha group.


The baby was rushed to the Dharmasala Community Health Centre, and later transported to the Dharmasala government hospital. It is believed she was born between four and six hours prior to being discovered.

"She is doing fine and all her parameters are normal," said Fanindra Kumar Panigrahi, district chief medical officer. "She is a full term baby, weighing around 2.5 kg. Her umbilical cord was intact and body was still covered with vernix

Local police officer Jyoti Prakash Panda, who  confirmed the incident said that the case was under investigation:

"We are trying to track the parents of the girl," he said. "Chances are it was a case of female foeticide and it is clear whoever buried the baby wanted her dead"