Newborn girl found abandoned in Raisen forest, rescued after 4 hours
Synopsis
A newborn girl was left in a dense, wild-animal-inhabited forest in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, lying in rainwater and thorny bushes for nearly four hours after birth — discovered only because a passing shepherd heard her cries. The infant, now in the SNCU at Raisen District Hospital, bears injury marks from the bushes; police have filed a case against unknown parents and are combing surrounding villages.
Key Takeaways
A newborn baby girl was found abandoned in Dungariya Khurd village , Bamhauri tehsil , Raisen district , Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, 2 September .
The infant is believed to have been exposed to rainwater and insects for three to four hours after being abandoned around 5 am .
A shepherd heard her cries and alerted ASHA and Anganwadi workers, leading to her rescue.
SNCU in-charge Dr Alok Rai confirmed the baby had thorn injuries, body stiffness from cold water exposure, and was weak and hungry on arrival.
Bamhauri police have registered a case against unknown persons; Child Welfare Committee member Mamta Patel has initiated further proceedings for the child's welfare.
The baby is expected to remain under medical supervision for three to four days .
A newborn baby girl was found abandoned in thorny bushes and standing rainwater inside a forested area of Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district on Tuesday, 2 September, reportedly left exposed for nearly four hours after birth before a shepherd's chance discovery saved her life, according to police. The infant was found in Dungariya Khurd village under Bamhauri tehsil — a dense forest area that, officers noted, is also home to wild animals.
How the Baby Was Found
A shepherd grazing livestock in the area heard the newborn's cries and traced the sound to find her lying in water amid thorny bushes, with no other person present. He immediately alerted ASHA and Anganwadi workers in the vicinity, prompting police and villagers to rush to the spot and carry out the rescue.
Doctors suspect the baby was born at approximately 5 am and abandoned shortly afterwards. She is believed to have remained exposed to rainwater and insects for three to four hours before being found.
Infant's Condition and Medical Care
The baby was first taken to the Bamhauri Sub-Health Centre and subsequently referred to hospitals in Silwani and then Raisen as her condition was considered serious. She is currently admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at Raisen District Hospital, where she remains under close medical observation.
SNCU in-charge Dr Alok Rai said the infant had injury marks caused by the thorny bushes, her body had become stiff from prolonged exposure to rainwater, and she was both weak and hungry when brought in for treatment.
Police Case and Investigation
Bamhauri police have registered a case against the unknown parents and launched an investigation to identify those responsible. Bamhauri police station house officer Pritam Singh Rajput underlined the gravity of the act: 'Leaving a newborn in such a forest could have proved fatal. We have registered a case against unknown persons and are making inquiries in the surrounding villages to identify the parents.'
Police teams are conducting searches in the forest and nearby villages to establish how the baby was brought there and who is responsible.
Child Welfare Committee Steps In
Child Welfare Committee member Mamta Patel visited the district hospital after learning of the incident and spoke with doctors about the infant's condition and ongoing treatment. According to Patel, the committee has initiated the process for further action concerning the abandoned child, and the baby is expected to remain under medical supervision for the next three to four days.
The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of newborn girls in remote forest areas and the critical role that community health workers play in emergency response. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and an arrest is expected once the parents are identified.
Point of View
Not historical footnotes. The fact that the baby survived owes entirely to a shepherd's presence — not to any systemic safety net. ASHA and Anganwadi networks responded well once alerted, but the gap between birth and discovery — four unsupervised hours in a forest with wild animals — exposes how thin that net actually is in remote tehsils. Police registering a case against 'unknown persons' is the procedural minimum; the harder question is whether district authorities will use this incident to audit institutional delivery and counselling gaps that push families toward abandonment in the first place.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the newborn baby girl found in Madhya Pradesh?
The newborn was found in Dungariya Khurd village under Bamhauri tehsil in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, inside a dense forested area inhabited by wild animals. She was lying in rainwater amid thorny bushes when discovered.
How was the abandoned infant in Raisen rescued?
A shepherd grazing livestock nearby heard the baby's cries, traced the sound, and found her in the bushes. He then informed ASHA and Anganwadi workers, who alerted police and villagers, leading to the rescue.
What is the current condition of the baby found in Raisen forest?
The infant is admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) at Raisen District Hospital and is under close observation. She had thorn-related injury marks, body stiffness from rainwater exposure, and was weak and hungry on arrival, according to SNCU in-charge Dr Alok Rai.
What legal action has been taken in the Raisen newborn abandonment case?
Bamhauri police have registered a case against unknown parents and are conducting inquiries in the forest and surrounding villages to identify those responsible. Station house officer Pritam Singh Rajput confirmed the investigation is active.
What is the Child Welfare Committee doing for the abandoned baby?
Child Welfare Committee member Mamta Patel visited Raisen District Hospital and has initiated the process for further action regarding the abandoned child. The baby is expected to remain under medical supervision for three to four days before the committee proceeds further.
