Man Who Rescued Abandoned Baby Speaks Out After Woman Claims Child as Hers
Mr Okorom Ifeanyi has publicly responded following a woman's assertion that the abandoned baby he rescued is her own child. The woman, identified as Naomi, came forward claiming the infant found in a bush is hers, insisting she recognized the baby by distinctive features such as a red patch on the face, the nose, and full hair.
Woman's Claim and Hospital Allegations
Naomi alleges that the hospital where she gave birth on May 9, 2025, informed her that her baby had died and was buried on May 10. Upon seeing images of the abandoned baby online, she expressed certainty that it is her child, stating, "I'm not mistaken," in an interview with LIB.
Rescuer's Account and Medical Evidence
However, Mr Ifeanyi provided a contrasting narrative to LIB. He explained that the baby was discovered at approximately 3 p.m. on February 20, 2026, with the placenta still attached, indicating a very recent birth. The hospital where the baby was taken confirmed it is a newborn, not more than a few days old, contradicting the possibility of the child being born months earlier as claimed by Naomi.
Mr Ifeanyi emphasized his lack of desperation for a child, noting he already has three children: two girls and a boy. He stated, "I am not desperate for a child. I have three children: two girls and a boy. If I wanted to adopt, I'll adopt a boy. But here's a girl that the world wants to deny a good life. I want to adopt her and ensure she's safe."
Rescue Details and Medical Intervention
He detailed that his wife, a foreign medical doctor, was called by locals when they found the baby and she immediately took the infant to the hospital. Medical professionals warned that if they had delayed by just 20 more minutes, the baby would have died. The police were informed and arrived at the hospital but took no action to claim the child.
Mr Ifeanyi recounted that if authorities had immediately declared the baby as a government ward, he would have handed her over after ensuring her survival. Instead, he covered all expenses for the child's admission, treatment, incubation, oxygen, and necessary baby items, and even donated his own blood to aid her recovery.
Struggle for Survival and Legal Challenges
He described a harrowing fight to keep the baby alive, with maggots being removed from her ears from Friday until Monday. "That child suffered. Nobody slept," he told LIB. Now, as the child recovers in hospital, Mr Ifeanyi faces obstacles in his efforts to officially adopt her, with his legal counsel having warned of such challenges.
Call for DNA Test and Legal Action
Reiterating his stance, Mr Ifeanyi said, "I am not desperate for a child. Anyone who wants to claim the child should approach me through the appropriate means provided they are not lying. But if they are lying, I will sue them." Regarding Naomi's claim, he added, "If she's willing to do DNA, if she proves herself well and her story is true, my wife and I will be glad to release the child. But if it's a game the police are playing..."
This case highlights ongoing issues of child abandonment, adoption processes, and the need for verifiable evidence in custody disputes, with Mr Ifeanyi advocating for the baby's welfare above all else.
