CRIME SCENE: Lotus River, Cape Town: Grassy Park police have arrested a 31-year-old woman following the disappearance of a newborn baby girl.

According to reports the mother gave birth at the Retreat Day Hospital Maternity Unit on Saturday 2 May 2026. The baby was last seen travelling with the mother from Retreat to Lotus River by taxi on Saturday.

They were allegedly dropped off at the corner of Buck Road and Fourth Avenue, Lotus River, but the mother returned home without the baby.

According to the reports the baby was wrapped in a pink receiver blanket and navy blue fleece blanket.

Members of the Lotus River Community searched for the baby on Saturday evening, 2 May 2026, but the search had to be called off because of shootings in the area, according to the reports. By Sunday afternoon 3 May 2026, the baby had not been found.

A child abandonment case was opened on Saturday, 2 May 2026, and investigations are ongoing, according to the police.

The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the child are under investigation. The police urged anyone with information or knowledge of the baby’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS mobile App anonymously.