By Davida Spaine-Solomon

Freetown, September 22nd 2025- Three months after a newborn baby mysteriously went missing at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital PCMH – Cottage in Freetown, the Government of Sierra Leone confirmed that the baby  was  found. However, a new twist has emerged: two families are now claiming to be the rightful parents of the child.

In June 2025, the baby was reported missing just four days after being born via cesarean section at Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH – Cottage). The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, and the Sierra Leone Police mounted a joint operation that led to the recovery of the baby in Segbwema Government Hospital, Kailahun District.

Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi, disclosed in a Facebook post that the baby was rescued by a nurse named Magdalene. But the saga has become more complicated as both Ahmed and Katimu Vambio and another unidentified family are claiming the child.

Speaking to Ahmed Vambio he narrated that on Monday, June 2, 2025, his wife, Katimu, went into labor. They first sought help at a private hospital, but were later referred to PCMH (Cottage).

“We were asked to pay for a scan, which we did as we paid for three scans at 80 leones each and a surgical operation that they said was 2,500. I pleaded with them because I had only Le 1,000, but I eventually paid Le 1,500 and promised to bring the balance later,” Ahmed recounted.

Following the cesarean operation, the couple was told their baby boy was struggling to breathe and was placed in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), where they were asked to pay Le 150 daily for care.

Ahmed said that on June 6, four days after delivery, he visited his wife and could not find the baby. “I searched everywhere and asked my wife if the baby had been brought to her, but she said no. I raised an alarm and called my family. The next day, I was even arrested because we were raising our voices as the search continued,” he added.

Later in June, the couple was called to identify a baby believed to be theirs. “My sister confirmed that the baby was ours,” because she was the one spending time with the mother in the hospital, Ahmed said. However, they were informed that another family was also claiming the child and that a DNA test would be required to establish the baby’s biological parents.

Ahmed and Katimu allege that they were asked to pay for the DNA test but could not afford the fees, and the baby has been placed in an interim care centre. “My wife has been traumatized since this incident. She has never even touched her baby,” Ahmed lamented.

Minister Isata Mahoi confirmed that the baby is currently in an orphanage because of the ongoing parentage dispute. “Two families are claiming the child, and we are sourcing funds for a DNA test. World Hope International has promised to support the process,” she said, adding that no family was asked to pay for the DNA test.

Daniel Albert Gbow, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, explained that the baby’s case was referred to the ministry by PCMH and the Family Support Unit (FSU).

“The ministry cannot confirm which woman is the biological mother until the DNA result is out. That is why we opted for interim care,” Gbow stated.

He added that while both families initially expressed interest, it is the Vambio family that has been consistently following up on the child’s welfare. “The other family has not been actively checking on the baby. The man involved even alleged that the mother is a drug addict,” Gbow disclosed.

He stressed that the baby is safe and receiving proper care. “We are not seizing anyone’s child. We are following due process to ensure the right family is reunited with the baby,” he assured.

As police investigations continue, the public awaits the DNA results that will bring closure to the case. The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs has pledged to expedite the process once funding is secured.

For now, the baby remains under government protection, and the country continues to watch closely as one of Sierra Leone’s most troubling maternity ward mysteries nears resolution