Police arrest parents of baby found abandoned in Ajman

The parents of a baby found abandoned in a pram on the Corniche on February 6 have been arrested, police say.

AJMAN // The parents of a baby found abandoned in a pram on the Corniche on February 6 have been arrested, police said yesterday. The woman, a Filipina in her early 30s, told police she had abandoned her child in desperation after learning of the strict laws on giving birth out of wedlock. Brig Ali Alwan, director general of Ajman Police, said she told police that the baby's Pakistani father wanted nothing to do with her or their child. The man, also in his early 30s, confessed that he is the father, according to police.

The case file has been handed to Ajman Public Prosecution and the two are in police custody, where the woman has been reunited with her daughter. An official from Ajman Public Prosecution, who did not give his name, said the couple would soon appear in court on charges of adultery and putting a child's life in danger. Under federal law the minimum prison term for each offence is one year. [e-mail]