An unidentified woman allegedly stole a four-day-old baby boy from a hospital in Patnagarh in Balangir district on Wednesday.
The incident occurred in broad daylight at the Patnagarh Sub Divisional Hospital in the presence of the newborn’s mother.
According to reports, the mother from Telanpali had delivered her baby at the State-run hospital on Sunday. The accused woman visited her at the hospital, held the baby on her lap with much affection and then fled from the spot.
“The woman came to me, lifted my baby with her arms and went away with the baby giving me Rs 100,” said the mother.