The Women Development and Child Welfare Department has appealed to the public not to leave orphaned, abandoned or deserted children aged up to six years on roads, in drains, isolated areas or other public places.
Ch. Santhoshi, District Women and Child Welfare and Empowerment Officer (DW&CW&EO), Visakhapatnam, said a Cradle Baby Centre was available at Sishu Gruha in Marripalem to ensure the safety of infants and enable the government to take responsibility for their care.
Parents or guardians who were unable to raise their children could safely place them in the cradle at the centre without fear, and without disclosing their identity, she said.
She urged people to immediately inform the authorities or the Child Helpline if they found an orphaned child or a child placed in the cradle. The toll-free Child Helpline 1098 can be contacted for assistance.
The Project Director, WDCW Department, Visakhapatnam, can be contacted on 9440814575, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) on 9949136649, and the Sishu Gruha Manager, Marripalem, on 8919154458. The Child Helpline Coordinator can be contacted on 7658942792, and the Child Welfare Committee on 9866084124.
Ms. Santhoshi said illegally handing over or selling children, or abandoning them on roads, was an offence under law. She appealed to the public to inform the authorities immediately on finding such children and help ensure their safe admission to Sishu Gruha so that they could receive legal protection and rehabilitation.
