'Serial Child Deserter' Arrested in Arua

Police in Arua have arrested and detained a 32 years old woman, accusing her of being a serial child deserter in the city. 

Sharon Baiti Ayikoru, a resident of Dadamu was picked up on Tuesday after a weeklong search for her by a team of police Child and Family Protection Unit-CFPU and volunteers.

This followed a case against her for child desertion of her 5 months old third child whom she abandoned in Pajulu on 16th January 2022.  Baiti, who has reportedly delivered three children with different men also mid-last year dumped her second child and she was arrested and detained at Arua CPS before she was counseled and later set free. 

Gertrude Orodriyo Agnes the Child and Family Protection Unit Officer in Arua who arrested Baiti and is also keeping her child since January 14th when it was deserted told URN that the suspect is known for having dealings with various men and has many cases with the police against her.  

According to Gertrude Orodriyo, she is now being forced to dig into her pocket to buy milk for the 5-month old infant every day without any support.  // Cue in; I was on my bed.... // Cue out; I picked her from….' // 

  Jimmy Anguyo the head of Child and Family Protection Unit in West Nile said cases of Child abandonment and desertion have taken an increasing trend since the Covid-19 lockdown took effect. 

Anguyo added that as CFPU, they no longer counsel the suspects but forward their files  Court for prosecution.  // Cue in; Upon our investigations.... // Cue out; Sharon will go to prison…. //   

Speaking in Lugbara, Sharon Ayikoru Baiti admitted to committing the same crime more than two times but explained that she is being prompted by failure by the fathers of the children to provide for her and the children forcing her to always abandon them.

According to records at the regional CFPU 20 cases of Child desertion involving mainly young mothers were registered between December last year and January 2022.