Late-Night Rescue in Gogrial East
Residents of Gogrial East, Warrap State, heard faint cries from an abandoned latrine shortly after sunset on 25 September 2025. After hours of digging, volunteers and police lifted a newborn boy from the three-metre cavity, astonishingly still breathing.
Deputy Executive Director Mapal Mayen told Eye Radio that the child’s 30-year-old mother had initially denied giving birth, prompting the community to fan out with torches and ropes until past midnight.
Police Investigation Underway
Local officers arrested the woman moments after the rescue. Warrap State police say both mother and child are in custody at Gogrial town station, where the infant is now breastfeeding while detectives prepare a file for the county prosecutor.
Under South Sudanese law, attempted infanticide carries severe penalties, yet courts often weigh mental health and socioeconomic factors, according to legal analyst James Deng.
Community Reaction and Health Update
Nurse Achol Wol, who assessed the baby at the station clinic, said the boy showed no fractures and maintained normal temperature after rehydration. “It is a miracle; dry soil cushioned him,” she noted.
Neighbours expressed relief but voiced concern about rising economic stress on large families in rural Warrap. Elders have scheduled a mediation meeting to discuss support for the child once legal proceedings conclude.
Broader Context of Child Safety
Cases of newborn abandonment have been reported in Juba, Wau and Bor this year, highlighting gaps in prenatal counselling and family planning. The Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare says it is drafting guidelines for emergency shelter and psychosocial support.
Non-governmental organisations have urged communities to strengthen watch networks and to report pregnancies requiring assistance early, a measure praised by county officials as cost-effective and culturally compatible.
Next Steps for Mother and Child
Pending court approval, social workers plan to assess the mother’s mental state and explore kinship care while the legal process unfolds. Officials stress that the primary goal remains the newborn’s welfare and a fair, transparent hearing.