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Mum kills baby with rat poison mixed with milk
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A 21-year-old woman from Mberengwa has been sentenced to seven years in prison by the Gweru High Court after she admitted to killing her seven-month-old baby by poisoning her milk in 2023.
Felistas Mpofu committed the crime in March last year after arriving in Mandava Township from her rural home. The court heard that Mpofu, overwhelmed by the challenges of caring for her child, deliberately laced her baby's milk with rat poison—an organophosphate pesticide—before feeding it to the infant using a bottle.
The High Court, in handing down its judgment, acknowledged that Mpofu was a first-time offender and had been experiencing a difficult period at the time of the incident. Nevertheless, the court found her guilty of deliberately taking the life of her child and imposed a custodial sentence of seven years.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mpofu had no place to sleep upon arriving in Mandava and sought help from a Good Samaritan, who offered her a place to stay for the night. Throughout the night, the baby reportedly cried continuously, prompting the host to suggest a hospital visit the next morning. The child was taken to Zvishavane General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The case was initially recorded as a sudden death.
However, suspicions were raised when Mpofu returned to collect her belongings, and the Good Samaritan noticed a foul chemical odor coming from the baby's feeding bottle. The bottle, which still contained milk with a strong chemical scent, was handed over to police.
A post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospitals confirmed that the baby had died from ingesting a toxic substance. Under questioning, Mpofu confessed that she had poisoned the child because she lacked the means to care for her.
The NPA described the case as "a tragic story that underscores the urgent need for mental health support, parenting education, and protection of children at all levels."
Mpofu will serve her sentence at a correctional facility, with no portion suspended. Authorities emphasized that while her personal hardships were acknowledged, the deliberate nature of the act could not be overlooked.
Felistas Mpofu committed the crime in March last year after arriving in Mandava Township from her rural home. The court heard that Mpofu, overwhelmed by the challenges of caring for her child, deliberately laced her baby's milk with rat poison—an organophosphate pesticide—before feeding it to the infant using a bottle.
The High Court, in handing down its judgment, acknowledged that Mpofu was a first-time offender and had been experiencing a difficult period at the time of the incident. Nevertheless, the court found her guilty of deliberately taking the life of her child and imposed a custodial sentence of seven years.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mpofu had no place to sleep upon arriving in Mandava and sought help from a Good Samaritan, who offered her a place to stay for the night. Throughout the night, the baby reportedly cried continuously, prompting the host to suggest a hospital visit the next morning. The child was taken to Zvishavane General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The case was initially recorded as a sudden death.
However, suspicions were raised when Mpofu returned to collect her belongings, and the Good Samaritan noticed a foul chemical odor coming from the baby's feeding bottle. The bottle, which still contained milk with a strong chemical scent, was handed over to police.
A post-mortem conducted at United Bulawayo Hospitals confirmed that the baby had died from ingesting a toxic substance. Under questioning, Mpofu confessed that she had poisoned the child because she lacked the means to care for her.
The NPA described the case as "a tragic story that underscores the urgent need for mental health support, parenting education, and protection of children at all levels."
Mpofu will serve her sentence at a correctional facility, with no portion suspended. Authorities emphasized that while her personal hardships were acknowledged, the deliberate nature of the act could not be overlooked.
Source - zimlive
