Baby kidnapper carried out pregnancy charade

THE WOMAN who allegedly stole a baby from San Miguel Archangel Hospital Sunday, Feb.14, pretended to be pregnant for eight months says Panama’s Public Ministry.

Prosecutor Rafael Baloyes told a press conference  she was one of three people arrested.

The baby was kidnapped from the maternity ward of the hospital on Sunday morning Fourteen hours later, after an intense police operation, the two-days old  bay , who was two days old, was found in an apartment in Rio Abajo. The prosecutor said that, according to preliminary investigation, the woman, a Panamanian citizen,  carried out an elaborate charade for eight months and deceived relatives and neighbors saying she was pregnant. Baloyes said the woman purchased baby clothes and went to medical facilities for checkups. The alleged pregnancy was repeatedly supported by the woman’s partner. According to the prosecutor, the couple kidnapped the baby from the maternity ward during a period when few staff were on duty. The authorities said that the detainees have no relation to the baby’s mother. Hospital officials have since reinforced security.