GASABO - Police in Gasabo District Monday, arrested a couple for allegedly neglecting their child who later died.
Jean Bosco Ntezimana, a resident of Kanyinya, Nyagahinga Cell in Rusororo Sector, and Mediatrice Nyirasafari, 21, are said to have starved and denied medical treatment to their 9-month old boy, Cedrique Harindimana.

It is alleged that Nyirasafari, the deceased child’s mother, after separating from Ntezimana, abandoned the child at the man’s home two months ago.

The District Police Commander, Supt. Dismas Rutaganira, who confirmed the incident and the subsequent arrest, said that Ntezimana, who had taken on another wife, also neglected the child.

"The new couple also abandoned the child which led to his death died last Sunday as he lacked treatment and other essential necessities,” Rutaganira said.

The child’s body was taken to Kacyiru Police Hospital for a post-mortem.

Rutaganira said that information about the child’s death was provided by the area authorities.

"The Village authorities stopped him (Ntezimana) from burying the child before knowing whether we were aware of the sudden death of the child and if we had authorised the burial,” Rutaganira said.

He explained that the mother is accused of abandoning the child at a tender age, contrary to the law.
Under the law, a mother is supposed to leave a child in the custody of the father when a child is at least seven years old.

The Police chief condemned Ntezimanafor accepting the child at the tender age and not informing concerned authorities over the matter.

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