Hidden Birth, Silent Death

Neglect Case Ends in Jail Sentences

A tragic case of neglect has ended in prison terms after a Bahraini court convicted three individuals in connection with the death and secret burial of an infant born without medical assistance. The High Criminal Court sentenced an Asian man and woman to three years in prison each after finding them guilty of neglecting their newborn child, who was less than seven months old, leading to his death.

A female friend of the mother was also sentenced to one year in prison for assisting in the secret burial of the infant. All three were additionally given one month in jail for unlawful residency and will be deported after completing their sentences. According to case details, the mother arrived in Bahrain in early 2024 after an online relationship with the co-accused that began in 2022.

She later moved in with him in October 2024. In March 2025, she discovered she was pregnant but did not seek medical care due to her expired residency status, and the couple chose to continue the pregnancy without medical supervision. On 23 August 2025, she went into labour inside an apartment while alone, delivering the baby without any medical assistance. The umbilical cord was cut in an unsterile condition. The father and a friend briefly visited during the incident but did not take steps to secure medical help. Investigations revealed the baby was born alive but died shortly after due to lack of essential neonatal care.

Despite attempts to feed the newborn, the infant’s condition worsened rapidly. The court found that the death was a direct result of severe negligence and failure to seek medical attention before and after birth. Authorities also noted that the birth and death were not reported as required by law. Following the infant’s death, the mother and her friend transported the body to the A’ali area, where they secretly buried the child near a mosque. The Public Prosecution charged the parents with causing death by negligence, failing to provide medical care, and failing to report the incident. The mother and her friend were additionally charged with unlawful burial, while the father was charged with aiding the act through agreement and participation.