Man Who Assumed Care of Abandoned Baby Responds to Woman's Claims

Mr. Okorom Ifeanyi has addressed claims made by a woman who alleges that the abandoned baby he rescued belongs to her.

The woman, identified as Naomi, asserts that the child found in a bush is indeed her baby. She points to distinctive marks on the child's face, including a red patch, as well as her nose and abundant hair as identifying features. Naomi maintains that the hospital where she gave birth on May 9, 2025, informed her that her baby had died, and they held a burial for the child on May 10. After spotting the abandoned baby online, she is convinced it is her child.

"I am not confused in my assertion," she stated in an interview with LIB.

In contrast, when contacted for a statement, Mr. Ifeanyi clarified that the baby was discovered around 3 p.m. on February 20, 2026, still attached to the placenta. Medical staff at the hospital confirmed that the infant was a newborn, only a couple of days old, meaning it could not have been born months earlier.

He remarked, "I am not desperate for a child. I have three children: two daughters and one son. If I were interested in adoption, I would seek a boy. However, this girl deserves a chance at life, and I want to adopt her for her safety."

Mr. Ifeanyi explained that his wife, an expatriate and medical doctor, was contacted by locals when the baby was found, and she promptly transported the infant to the hospital. The medical staff indicated that had they delayed by just 20 minutes, the baby might have perished.

Upon notifying the police, they came to the hospital but did not take any steps to claim the child.

He expressed that had the authorities informed him immediately that the baby belonged to the state, he would have returned the child once assured of its well-being. Nonetheless, he noted that the relevant authorities did nothing while he shouldered expenses for the child’s medical care, including admission, treatment, and necessary provisions. He even donated blood for the infant.

"We fought tirelessly for several days to keep the baby alive," he recounted, stating that maggots were extracted from the baby's ears from Friday to Monday. "It was a harrowing experience, and no one rested during that time," he shared with LIB.

Currently, as the child recovers in the hospital and Mr. Ifeanyi seeks to finalize the adoption process, he claims he is facing multiple challenges.

He emphasized once again that he is not frantically searching for a child. "Anyone looking to claim the baby should reach out to me through the proper channels, assuming their claims are legitimate. If they are false, I will take legal action," he warned.

Regarding Naomi's assertion of ownership, he stated: "If she is open to a DNA test, and her claims are valid, my wife and I would be willing to let her have the child. However, if this is a setup orchestrated by the police..."