A 21 year old woman, who is charged with the alleged murder of her new born baby, took the witness stand today to give sworn evidence and relate her side of the story.

Maria Tawake recalled how on 21st June 2007, when she was only 19 years old, she was taken to the CWM Hospital's Labour Ward when she experienced severe stomach pains.

Tawake told Judge Justice Priyantha Fernando that when she arrived at the Labour Ward, she asked a nurse for help however, the nurse asked her for her folder which she did not have.

She said the nurse got angry and told her to stand in a corner while she was still experiencing labour pains.

Tawake said she did not realize that the baby was coming and so she went to the restroom where she delivered the baby.

According to Tawake, she fell to her knees and that the baby's head hit the floor.

She said she was weak and scared and no one came to assist her so she cleaned herself up and left the baby, which was not moving, in the rest room and left the hospital.

Earlier, Tawake also told the court that she did not tell her friends and relatives that she was pregnant and her boyfriend, knowing her situation never came to visit her once.

The trial continues this afternoon.


Story by: Roneel Lal