PASTOR, WIFE ARRESTED FOR DUMPING BABY (PAGE 3)

A 30-YEAR-OLD pastor and his wife have been arrested by the Assin Fosu Police for allegedly dumping their newly born baby boy in the bush.
While Pastor James Osei Kwame of the Gentle Ministry at Assin Fosu is in the custody of the police, his 19-year-old wife and the baby are recuperating at the Assin Fosu St. Francis Xavier Catholic Hospital.
The baby was rescued by a good Samaritan in the neighbourhood, who took him to the hospital where the mother had reported for having a miscarriage.
Medical officers who examined her detected that she had indeed given birth and it was during that time that the good Samaritan reported to the hospital with the abandoned baby.
When medical officers got to know of the case of the abandoned baby boy, they confronted the woman, who broke down upon seeing the baby and confessed having committed the offence.
Narrating the incident to the Daily Graphic, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Akwasi Kankam-Boadu, District Commander of the Assin Fosu Police, said the couple met about a year ago and got married about three months ago.
DSP Kankam-Boadu said Osei told the police during interrogation that even though his wife told him she was pregnant, she was still having her menstrual periods.
He said Osei claimed he first took his wife to a clinic at Assin Fosu and a medical examination on her indicated that she was not pregnant.
He said notwithstanding that, Osei took the lady to a herbalist at Pentoase, near Assin Fosu, for treatment.
DSP Kankam-Boadu indicated that Osei told the police that around 3p.m. on March 23, 2009, his wife complained of labour pains and asked the husband to send her to hospital.
He said just a few metres away from their house, his wife gave birth to the baby boy and wrapped him together with the placenta and the umbilical cord in the plastic bag and dumped it in the bush.
He said since the woman was bleeding profusely, Pastor Osei decided to send her to the hospital for treatment.
The baby and mother have since been on admission at the hospital.
The police said even though they wanted to grant bail to Pastor Osei, no one had shown up to stand surety and that the Head Pastor of the church in Kumasi had been notified.
He said Osei would be put before court, while further investigations continue.