Kochi: Childline, police, and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) rescued a one-and-a-half-year-old boy from Kaloor after his parents, both approximately 24 years old, were found to be heavily under the influence of drugs and incapable of ensuring his safety.
Rescue Operation
The rescue was carried out on Monday after Childline received a tip-off that the mother was feeding the baby while allegedly under the influence of drugs. The mother is reportedly from Ottapalam, while the father, hailing from Malappuram, has a criminal record for ganja peddling.
A Childline source revealed that the couple had been staying in a hotel since arriving in Ernakulam two months ago. When officials arrived, the father was standing outside the room, and the mother was inside a locked room. After persistent persuasion, she opened the door, and the father attempted to leave after collecting his belongings. The mother also tried to leave the room where the baby was sleeping.
Confrontation and Neglect
As officials began gathering their details, the couple engaged in a heated argument, hurling abuses at each other. This forced officials to intervene and inform them that the baby would be taken to Childline. When the husband left the room, the mother followed but soon returned and remained inside. When the baby woke up, the woman refused to feed him.
Hotel staff provided drinking water to feed the child. They also reported that the couple frequently quarreled and physically abused the child. Childline took custody of the baby in the presence of the woman and another man, whose identity was used to rent the room. After presenting the child before the CWC, he was shifted to a rescue home.
Threats and Abuses
The couple later arrived at the CWC office in Kakkanad, where they threatened officials and hurled abuses at Childline staff. A source stated, "We are convinced that the couple is currently not fit to ensure the child's safety."
