Sold baby returned to his mother

PORT MORESBY – The two-month-old baby boy sold by his father for 500 kina last week has been returned to his mother, Papua New Guinda police say.

National Capital District’ Superintendant Andy Bawa said that Tyle Pori was back with his mother Evodiah Saulap, who had lodged a complaint with police.

His father Keret Pori, 32, from East Sepik, sold the toddler last Saturday to Abol Mikel from Wabag, following a row with the boy’s mother.

Bawa said both Pori, who sold the child, and Mikel who bought him for 500 kina, were still in police custody.

Police retrieved the baby boy yesterday from Mikel’s home at the settlement of Five Mile.

Bawa said Mikel surrendered himself to police for questioning.

“This is a human being and should not be sold like a commodity,” Bawa said.

He warned parents intending to sell their babies that they would be dealt with severely.

“Babies have to be treated with care and parents have a responsibility for the child’s welfare to ensure he or she is in good condition,” he said.

Mikel and his wife Rose had earlier refused to return the child, saying they had not only paid 500 kina for the boy but had spent a lot of extra money to buy milk and other necessities for him.