A Filipina woman has been arrested after the body of a newborn baby boy was discovered in a rubbish bin inside a women’s restroom at a shopping mall in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district on Friday, March 20.
Image from thethaiger.com
Police from Thong Lo Police Station were alerted at approximately 4:20 PM after a cleaner made the disturbing discovery. According to the cleaner, she was collecting trash from the restroom cubicles when she noticed one bag was unusually heavy. Upon inspecting it, she found the infant’s body inside a black rubbish bag and immediately informed mall security, who then contacted authorities.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and identified a foreign woman as a suspect. She was reportedly seen leaving the restroom behaving suspiciously, carrying a pink suitcase and a white tote bag.
image from thethaiger.com
Authorities later tracked the woman to Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal. She was identified as 25-year-old Filipina, Jovelyn Canino Cardienete. Police noted bloodstains on her shoe and sock at the time she was located.
She was taken to Police General Hospital for a medical examination, where doctors confirmed she had recently given birth. She received urgent medical treatment, including stitches for childbirth-related injuries, and was kept overnight under police supervision.
Police believe the woman is the mother of the newborn, though they are awaiting confirmation through laboratory testing and an autopsy.
Image from thethaiger.com
If confirmed, she may face charges under Section 199 of Thailand’s Criminal Law for improper handling of a corpse, which carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
