Appeal Court Upholds Prison Sentences in Newborn Death and Illegal Burial Case

TDT | Manama

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The First High Criminal Court of Appeal has upheld prison sentences against an Asian couple convicted of gross negligence leading to the death of their newborn child, as well as failing to report the infant's birth and death.

The court confirmed a three-year prison term for the 35-year-old mother and the 26-year-old father. It also upheld a one-year prison sentence for the mother's friend, who was found guilty of assisting in the unlawful burial of the infant without informing the relevant authorities.

All three defendants were additionally sentenced to one month in prison for residing illegally in Bahrain and will be deported after completing their prison terms.

According to court records, the mother arrived in Bahrain in January 2024 for work. She had met the father through social media in 2022, and the pair later entered into a relationship before moving in together in October 2024.

In March 2025, the woman discovered she was pregnant but did not seek medical care after her residency permit had expired. Investigators said she informed the father of the pregnancy and the couple agreed to continue with it despite not obtaining medical supervision.

On August 23, 2025, the woman went into labour at their apartment. After the father and the third defendant briefly visited, they left the residence. The woman later delivered the baby at home without medical assistance and cut the umbilical cord using non-medical means.

Investigations found that the infant was born alive but required urgent specialised medical care due to being premature. No medical assistance was sought, and the child's condition deteriorated, ultimately resulting in death.

Following the infant's death, the third defendant returned to the apartment, and the three agreed not to notify authorities. The baby's body was wrapped in cloth and transported to the A'ali area, where it was buried near a mosque without following legal procedures.

Prosecutors said the defendants failed to report both the birth and death within the legally required period. The third defendant participated in the burial, while the father assisted in coordinating the burial arrangements and transportation.

The Public Prosecution charged the parents with negligently failing to provide necessary medical care, leading to the infant's death, as well as failing to report the birth and death. Additional charges included unlawful burial without notifying authorities and violations related to expired residency permits.