How baby Mogamat Imaad Shamar was rescued

AFTER three days of hoping and pleading with the kidnapper of a then nine-day-old baby to have him returned, baby Mogamat Imaad Shamar is now safe in his mother's arms.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

The kidnapping of the newborn boy made headlines after he was abducted by a lady posing as support staff for an NGO working with mothers of new babies, offering counselling, care packages, and workshops.

The 37-year-old, according to Faith and Hope Missing Persons Unit founder Veranique "Benji" Williams, groomed the mother while she was pregnant and befriended her.

"When the mommy trusted the alleged kidnapper, who took her out for lunch thrice prior to their mall meeting, she made her move. I believe this mom was groomed."

The woman, who identified herself only as Chivon, has since been arrested after it came to light that the baby was with her in Mitchells Plain.

Benji revealed what led to the woman's arrest: "On Monday evening I received a message from an unknown person who asked me if I knew how the alleged kidnapper looked. I said no... She said she was suspicious about someone living in her road who wasn't pregnant but had a baby."