A baby boy was found alive on top of a bin on at Block 534 Bedok North Street 3 on Tuesday (7 Jan) morning.
The newborn baby was wrapped in a blood-soaked plastic bag when cleaners tried to clear the bins between 8am and 9am.
Image source: iStock
Mr Lim Yok Liang, 72, was passing by to a nearby coffee shop when he stumbled on the scene. He told The Straits Times, “I saw an ambulance at the open-air carpark under the block. There was a policeman carrying a baby, wrapped in a cloth.
“The baby was not crying. It looked like it was still breathing.”
After attending to the baby and providing immediate medical aid, the baby was taken away by an ambulance to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. No visible injuries were found on the child and he is reported to be in a stable condition.
Police have since been carrying out their investigations and asking the block residents for further information.
An officer was reported to have been seen inside a unit on the 12th floor, where an elderly female occupant.
The police released a statement advising they received a call at 9:11 requesting assistance at the HDB block.
Where to get help if you have an unwanted pregnancy
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Between 2009 and 2018, there have been 16 cases of abandoned babies reported.
While every mother’s situations are different, it’s important to know that there is help available if you feel unable to cope.
Three immediate options to choose are:
- Consider aborting the baby.
- Don’t abort the baby, but give it up for adoption.
- Go through with the pregnancy and raise the baby.
Other things you should bear in mind before making a decision are:
- If you are keeping the pregnancy, consider antenatal care.
- If you are terminating the pregnancy, consult your GP or a sexual health clinic first to discuss what choices are available along with associated risks. Medical professionals in these settings can pass you over to other medical institutions, like a clinic or hospital, for a follow-up evaluation.
Where to find support for teen parents
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You can also consult pregnancy crisis services in Singapore. These organisations all have a 24/7 hotline open 365 days of the year. Don’t worry, because they will provide a safe space away from judgemental eyes and will keep any information you provide strictly confidential.
If you feel like there is no one else to turn to, the following organisations can help you explore options and advise you on what to do next.
- babes.org.sg – SMS 8111 3535 or call 1800 833 6666
- pregnancy crisis and familylife.sg – 6339 9770
- Sanctuary House hotline – 9817 0588
Sources: The Strait Times