A tragic and shocking event has unfolded at the St. Joseph Convent Hostel, run by the Diocese of Eluru, raising serious concerns about the oversight and accountability of church-run institutions. A newborn, who should have been safely cradled in its mother’s womb, tragically died moments after birth.
The incident involves a teenage girl from Nandyal, a second-year intermediate student residing at the St. Joseph Convent hostel. On the morning of 8 December 2024, a resident of a nearby apartment witnessed a woman throwing a newborn out of a window and immediately alerted the authorities. Police, led by 2-Town Circle Inspector Ramana, arrived at the scene. Officials from the Women and Child Welfare Department found the lifeless infant behind the hostel, with its umbilical cord still intact and bloodstains at the location.
DSP Shravan Kumar, overseeing the investigation, questioned the hostel administrators. The young mother, reportedly in poor health after delivery, was transported to Sarvajana Hospital for medical care. The infant’s body was sent to the hospital morgue for further examination. Authorities also questioned the girl’s roommates and friends and dispatched forensic teams to gather evidence.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the girl, training to become a nun at the convent, may have been involved with a trainee Christian Father. Allegations of possible misconduct have emerged involving a trainee Father, and a suspect has reportedly been taken into custody for questioning.
This incident has sparked widespread criticism of the hostel administration and its failure to monitor the students adequately. Questions have been raised about how the girl’s pregnancy went unnoticed despite physical changes in her condition. Reports indicate that fellow residents assisted with the delivery but did not report the situation to authorities, worsening the crisis.
DSP Shravan Kumar confirmed that a case has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing. This tragedy underscores the need for greater accountability and systemic reforms to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
St. Joseph Convent in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, is part of India’s more extensive network of Christian missionary institutions and operates under the Diocese of Eluru. It primarily focuses on educating and preparing young women for a life of service as nuns in the Christian faith, emphasizing discipline, spiritual growth, and community service.
This tragic event has raised significant concerns about the institution’s management, particularly in terms of monitoring the welfare and behavior of its students. Allegations of misconduct by a trainee Father have raised questions about the ethical and moral protections in place for young women within the institution.
(With inputs from AriseBharat)
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