A senior official at the Social Welfare department admitted to stealing and selling a baby with an accomplice to a couple for over GH¢16,500.
 Evelyn Jemima Alangeah, a probation officer at the department in Kumasi admitted that she stole the baby with her 58-year-old colleague, Samuel Obeng Afriyie, the officer in charge of Justice administration.
The two suspects, who were picked up in March, have been charged with conspiracy to wit child stealing and child stealing charges.
The baby was stolen from a maternity home where the mother, Deborah Tanyen had been sent to give birth.
The baby’s mother sought support from the Social Welfare Department's Regional Office last year after her boyfriend abandoned her with the pregnancy.
DSP Juliana Obeng who speaks for the Ashanti Regional Police Command told Nhyira FM the action of Evelyn was to cover up.
"Evelyn took the complainant to Tewobabi in Kenyasi in the Ashanti Region to stay with her in order to cover up her diabolical deeds," she revealed.
According to her, the two officials shared the money from the sale of the baby.
"Suspect Evelyn charged the couple an amount of GHS 16,500 for the adoption process. Unknown to the couple, the baby was a stolen one.
"The amount, being proceeds from the sale of the baby was shared between Evelyn and Mr. Samuel Obeng Afriyie, all officers of the Social Welfare Department here in Kumasi," the Police spokesperson added.
But the mother of the child, 22-year-old Deborah Tayeng alleges the foster parents who supposedly bought the child are still keeping her three months after the suspects were arrested.
This is contrary to claim by police they have handed the baby to the Social Welfare Department.
Spokesperson for the family, Felix Kunkpe Kyemuo says the family is unhappy "the police are not trying to reason with us" in the release of the baby at the time all parties [suspects] have admitted to wrongdoing.
He says the family wants to take custody of the baby even before prosecution of the suspects starts.
"Now we feel that as we have come up as a family, the child should be handed over to us whilst the proceedings follow," he said.
Meanwhile, Evelyn Jemima Alangeah was interdicted in May and has since been replaced, while her accomplice Obeng Afriyie has been referred to the Local Government Services for further probe.
Source: myjoyonline