Belthangady: Cops trace parents of abandoned baby; father in police custody

Belthangady: Cops trace parents of abandoned baby; father in police custody

Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, April 3, 2025: Police have traced the parents of a three month old baby girl who was found abandoned in the forest in Belalu village of Belthangady recently.

Dharmasthala police who investigated the case have found out that Ranjith Gowda (27) who worked as a security guard at Dharmasthala and Sushmitha of Kolangaje are the parents of the baby. Police have taken Ranjith into custody and are questioning him.

The baby which is presently under the care of an ashram in Puttur will be entrusted to the care of the parents after the completion of DNA process.

It may be recalled here that locals had first noticed the baby in the forest area. Later the baby was handed over to the custody of the officials of the Department of Women and Child Development. A complaint was also lodged  and the Dharmasthala SI Samarth R Ganigera and team traced Ranjith Gowda on April 2 and took him to custody.

It is learnt, Ranjith and Sushmitha were in a relationship and kept Sushmitha’s pregnancy a secret. Ranjith and Sushmitha stayed in a rented house at Ujire and after delivery had abandoned the baby in the forest.

It is learnt, Ranjith and Sushmitha have now agreed to marry and that their families too have given consent.