20-Day-Old Baby Girl Found Buried in Uttar Pradesh Fights for Life

Tue Oct 21 2025 05:38:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A 20-day-old baby girl, discovered buried alive in Uttar Pradesh by a shepherd, is currently battling for survival in a hospital. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, amidst concerns of female infanticide linked to societal preferences in India.

In a distressing incident from Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, a 20-day-old baby girl was found buried alive and is now hospitalized fighting for survival. Discovered by a shepherd, the girl was critically injured and is under intensive care, as medical teams work to treat her infections and monitor her condition amidst ongoing investigations into her abandonment.

A 20-day-old baby girl who was found buried alive in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is fighting for survival, hospital authorities say.

She was discovered by chance when a shepherd, who had taken his goats to the area for grazing, heard faint cries coming from under a mound of earth. Upon closer examination, he spotted a tiny hand sticking out of the mud. After alerting nearby villagers, the police were called to the scene and excavated the baby.

While no suspects have been named in this case, the abandonment and even fatal attempts on female children have often been linked to India's cultural preference for sons. This societal norm has contributed to a skewed gender ratio in the country.

The incident transpired in Shahjahanpur district. Currently, the baby is receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit of a government-run medical college and hospital.

According to medical college principal Dr. Rajesh Kumar, the infant was admitted on Monday, covered in dirt and struggling to breathe due to mud obstructing her mouth and nostrils. She was in a critical condition, showing signs of oxygen deficiency. She had also sustained insect bites and injuries from an animal, he stated.

Initial signs of improvement were followed by further deterioration as she developed an infection. Dr. Kumar emphasized that the injuries indicated the baby had been buried shortly before her rescue. A dedicated team, including a plastic surgeon, is working to combat the infections and stabilize her condition. Despite their efforts, the prognosis remains grim.

The police have faced difficulties in tracing the baby's parents and have informed the state's child helpline about her situation. This tragic event is unfortunately not unique; similar cases have been recorded in the past, reflecting the pressing issue of gender-based discrimination in India.

India's longstanding gender ratio disparities have largely been attributed to cultural biases prioritizing male children, leading to widespread incidents of abortion and infanticide against female offspring.