Police in Dowa have arrested a 21-year-old woman, Kesta Andrew, for allegedly dumping her newly born baby in a pit latrine.

Dowa Police Spokesperson Gladson M’bumpha said it is alleged that the suspect gave birth on Tuesday Afternoon and dumped the baby in a pit latrine.

He said the baby was recovered on Wednesday by people who were attending a funeral ceremony at Chiponda Village in Traditional Authority Msakambewa after one of them heard baby cries inside a toilet.

M’bumpha said the suspect admitted to dumping the baby in a toilet, but she did not disclose the reasons for the act.

Meanwhile, both the suspect and the baby are admitted to Dowa District Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

Kesta Andrew will appear before court soon after being discharged from the hospital to answer a charge of concealing birth of a child.