Happy Ending for Baby Rescued by SA Policemen
Almost a year ago to the day, Constable Wynand Laatz and Sergeant Stephen Clark helped rescue an abandoned newborn from a bush on the side of the M13 in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal. Today the two police officers were happily reunited with one-year-old David. Sgt Clark says that on that day, a year ago, the baby was spotted by a […]
Almost a year ago to the day, Constable Wynand Laatz and Sergeant Stephen Clark helped rescue an abandoned newborn from a bush on the side of the M13 in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal. Today the two police officers were happily reunited with one-year-old David.
Sgt Clark says that on that day, a year ago, the baby was spotted by a Metro contractor and still had his umbilical cord.
“Cst Laatz, a trained paramedic, helped clean him up and applied gentle stimulus until an ambulance arrived,” remembers Sgt Clark.
“The baby – already not having a fantastic start to life – was hospitalised for a while at a few months old but recovered and has been cared for by a foster home until now.”
The great news is that David has now been adopted by “a wonderful family who will take him home and give him a new life with his older brothers and sisters.
“This little man is a born survivor. He was MEANT to survive and we are very happy to have been a part of it,” said Sgt Clark who first posted the happy news on C3 Community Crime Cooperative‘s facebook page, a community page designed to publish accurate and relevant crime information and tips.
Abandoned babies are unfortunately not a rare enough occurrence in South Africa. According to Hope House “this is just one of many abandoned babies we take care of who have survived horendous circumstances e.g. left in long-drop toilet, found in closed black plastic bag, etc. etc. God has a purpose for each one of these precious souls.”
Thanks to the kindness of strangers, places like Hope House – and police officers – these stories fortunately sometimes have happy endings…
Several South Africans have written messages of gratitude on Sgt Clark’s post, including this one from Lebohang Janse van Dibate – “I salute you gentlemen. It’s heart warming seeing that some policemen [treat] their jobs like a higher calling. Renews our hope in our men in blue when you read such stories.”
Others shared similar stories, including a moving tribute from Capetonian mom Diana Munden who wrote: “Same story here. ‘B’ was abandoned in a black bag at birth, found by SAP, taken to hospital, very ill. Hospitalised first 3 months. ADDHD and FOETAL ALCHOHOL SYNDROME… Thursday is his last day at school; now 18,5 years old…ready to work. What a joy he has been to have mothered him all these years. Admittedly it hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth every day.”
Diana also shared photos from B’s recent matric farewell in which he was given special permission by the Aston Martin outlet at the Waterfront to sit in an Aston Martin DBS (the car James Bond uses in ‘Spectre’).
Diana, who helped set it up, wrote: “B was greeted at the showroom door by this beautiful lady [who said] ‘Good Morning Mr B… welcome to Aston Martin Showroom. Congratulations on getting this far with your education.’ B’s mouth hung open…He was given special permission to sit in the car, NEVER to be repeated again. My son was in heaven. He never stopped smiling. The memory will stay with him FOREVER! Yes! there are people out there with good hearts. B looked the part. He lived in a dream world for two hours. I am so proud of him. He’s my boy, My son!”
Helderberg Baby Saver commented on the policemen’s post: “Well done to these guys! It was through the discovery of a new born baby abandoned under a bridge in Somerset West last year that the Helderberg Baby Saver was developed: www.babysaver.co.za – Our hope is for each community to have one so that there is a safe alternative to throwing away your baby.”