Mother arrested in 2019 case of Baby India dumped in Forsyth County woods

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. - An arrest has been in the case of a newborn baby left in a wooded area of Forsyth County in 2019.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference Friday afternoon to reveal more details about the arrest. During the press conference, Sheriff Ron Freeman announced that the 40-year-old biological mother of the child, Karima Jiwani, has been arrested.

The sheriff also said that the mother knew she was pregnant at the time and had a history of concealed pregnancies and "surprise" births.

The sheriff said that approximately 10 months ago, they were able to identify the biological father through DNA. Last week, they were able to identify the birth mother. She is currently being held at the Forsyth County jail, according to the sheriff. The sheriff also mentioned that it was his handcuffs that were used when Jiwani was placed under arrest. 

Mother of Baby India arrested

Jiwani is facing charges of attempt to commit murder, first degree to cruelty to children, aggravated assault and reckless abandonment.

The sheriff says the father was not aware of the pregnancy or birth and is not facing any charges.  He also revealed that Jiwani does have other children, ranging from school age to near adult, and the Department of Family and Children Services has been contacted. 

WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE

"Baby India," as she has been named by nurses from a list of names for abandoned babies, was left in a tied-up bag in woods near the 1900 block of Daves Creek Road in southeastern Forsyth County. Neighbor Alan Ragatz called authorities on June 6, 2019, and said he and his children heard a baby crying. 

Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman at the time called it "divine intervention" that they were able to find the child alive. 

"This child was not left to be found," Freeman told FOX 5 after India's discovery. "It's literally one of the saddest things I've ever seen."

Body-worn cameras caught the moment Deputy Terry Roper tore open the bag and found the infant with its umbilical cord still attached.

In the video, Roper is heard comforting the baby, telling her "I'm so sorry."

"I was just apologizing for the situation," Roper told FOX 5. "I was sorry she was dumped and abandoned."

"How a parent, and I happen to be one, can do such a callous thing is both incomprehensible to all of us, and it's infuriating," Sheriff Freeman said.

She was rushed to an area hospital to be checked out. The infant was in good condition. She weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces. 

The sheriff’s office received hundreds of tips in the case and thousands of requests to adopt the infant.

Under Georgia's Safe Haven Law, a mother who does not want a newborn can take the child to a designated area such as a police department or fire station and hand the child over to law enforcement officers under no penalty of the law.

Authorities have not revealed what happened to "Baby India," who would now be about 4 years old. The sheriff said during the press conference on Friday that she is "happy, healthy and in a safe place."

The child's biological mother is scheduled to make her first court appearance at 10 a.m. Saturday.