What started as a friendship at the Bambui District Hospital turned into a nightmare for Catherine when 38-year-old Precilia stole her three-week-old baby.
atherine, a mother of two, had trusted Precilia, unaware that her newborn was the true target of their acquaintance.
On January 7, 2025, Precilia visited Catherine at her home in Bambili under the guise of checking on the baby.
That visit ended with the unimaginable. Precilia vanished with the child, leaving Catherine in anguish.
A desperate search began, with Catherine filing a formal complaint at the Central Police Station. Authorities quickly launched an investigation, tracking Precilia to Bafut, where they eventually arrested her.
“I cannot describe the pain I went through,” Catherine said, holding her baby again 23 days after their forced separation.
“I am just grateful to have my child back.”
This incident adds to the growing number of reported missing persons in the North West Region and in Cameroon at large.
Security forces say lack of collaboration from victims or their families often hampers investigations, making some cases difficult to resolve.
“We are able to get this baby back because the family filed a formal complaint. Such cases have been reoccurring yet the victims never come to us, making intervention challenging on our side,” said Emmanuel Mbock, Bamenda Central Police Commissioner.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report all suspicious activities.
As Catherine has returned home with her baby, Precilia will face the law for her crime.
