A housemaid strangled her newborn baby to death because she feared being jailed for becoming pregnant through an illicit relationship, prosecutors have said.

The Ethiopian woman went into labour and gave birth in her bathroom at the home of her employer in Abu Dhabi in June.

Prosecutors yesterday told Abu Dhabi Criminal Court that the woman did not inform anyone about her pregnancy, fearing that her boss might sack her or even report to police that she had an illegal affair.

“After delivering the baby boy, the woman held his head and strangled him to death,” said a prosecutor.

A forensic expert who examined the child’s body said in court that the woman must have faced difficulties in delivering the child since she had it on her own and no one helped her.

“There were also marks on the baby’s neck,” said the forensic doctor.

“She might have grabbed the neck as the baby came out of the womb and continued to strangle him as she pulled him out, until the child died.”

Police were also informed about the incident and the woman was arrested after being discharged.

Prosecutors charged the woman with having an illicit relationship and killing her own baby.

The maid admitted to having an affair out of wedlock but denied killing her baby. She insists that the bruises on the baby’s neck were due to force she used in pulling her out of the womb.

Police have also arrested the maid’s Indian boyfriend, who they said made her pregnant. He is also charged with having an illegal affair.

The trial was adjourned until next week.

Source: 7days.ae