It was a mother’s worst nightmare, her four-day-old baby vanishing from what should have been the safest place of all, a hospital ward.
Panic spread, tears flowed, and fear gripped an entire community.
But within hours, hope returned.
Through swift police action and public vigilance, a fragile life was rescued and a mother’s broken heart mended, as the prime suspect now sits behind police cell gates, facing questions over the chilling crime.
The 33-year-old female suspect was arrested by the Dansoman Divisional Police Command, in connection with the stealing of a four-day-old baby boy from the postnatal ward of Mamprobi Hospital in Accra.
The suspect, Latifa Salifu, a cloth seller, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, February 17, 2026, following intense investigations and strong public cooperation after the shocking incident was reported.
Police say the baby’s mother, Precious Ankoma, delivered safely on February 14.
Three days later, an unidentified woman disguised in a peach-coloured nurse’s uniform took the newborn under the pretext of administering medication, and disappeared.
Alarm was raised immediately.
Officers visited the hospital, took statements, reviewed intelligence, and launched a manhunt.
At about 3:40 a.m., police tracked down the suspect at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, where she was found with a baby believed to be the missing child.
She claimed she had delivered at the facility and was discharged due to lack of beds, a claim police investigations found to be false, as no hospital records supported it.
The baby boy has since been positively identified by his mother through a birthmark and reunited with her before being returned to hospital care for medical assessment and protection.
The suspect is currently in police custody, assisting with investigations.
The Police have praised the vigilance of the public and urged health facilities and families to remain alert.
Measures outlined include strict staff identification, restricted access to postnatal wards, visitor logs, and constant monitoring of CCTV systems.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, led by the Minister, together with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, has visited both the police command and the hospital, assuring enhanced security to prevent future occurrences.
Investigations remain ongoing, and police say further updates will be communicated as facts are established.
For now, a stolen child is safe, a mother holds her baby again, and a community breathes a collective sigh of relief.
Source: paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
