BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa County – The Center for Human Rights and Democracy (CeHRD International) has called for an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into the disappearance of a three-day-old infant from the Liberia Government Hospital in Buchanan, describing the incident as a grave human rights concern that may warrant investigation as a possible case of child abduction or trafficking.
In a detailed statement issued over the weekend, the organization expressed alarm over the disappearance of the newborn, who was delivered by Caesarean section on June 1, 2026, to a 16-year-old mother from District #1, Grand Bassa County.
According to CeHRD International, the infant reportedly vanished while the teenage mother was recovering from surgery in the custody of the government-run hospital. The organization said the circumstances surrounding the child’s disappearance remain unexplained.
The mother subsequently reported the incident to the Fair Ground Police Station and also made a public appeal through Radio One in Buchanan.
CeHRD said information available to the organization indicates that local health and security authorities, including the Grand Bassa District Health Officer and officers of the Liberia National Police’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), were informed of the case around the time the infant disappeared. However, the organization alleged that no timely action was taken.
The rights group noted that although the Liberia National Police later held a press conference on the matter, no arrest has been made since the incident occurred.
CeHRD emphasized that the roles and responsibilities of the officials mentioned remain subject to an independent investigation and said its Human Rights Officer attempted to gather information by visiting both the police station and the Liberia Government Hospital. The organization said access to the hospital was denied during the visit.
The organization further disclosed that Grand Bassa stakeholder Gabriel Montgomery has reportedly provided humanitarian assistance to the young mother and her family while calling for a full investigation into the child’s disappearance.
CeHRD argued that the case represents a serious failure in the State’s duty to protect children under its care, particularly when the child disappeared from a public health facility.
Among the concerns raised, the organization cited the possible violation of the child’s right to life, identity, and protection from abduction; the mother’s right to family unity; the alleged failure of public officials to investigate the matter promptly; and the psychological trauma suffered by the teenage mother following the disappearance of her baby.
The organization further warned that the circumstances surrounding the case resemble patterns associated with illegal adoption or child trafficking networks targeting maternity wards and urged investigators to examine that possibility thoroughly.
CeHRD cited several Liberian laws, including the Constitution, the Children’s Law of Liberia, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and provisions of the Penal Law relating to kidnapping and official neglect of duty.
It also referenced Liberia’s obligations under international treaties, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Palermo Protocol on trafficking in persons.
The organization called on the Government of Liberia, through the Liberia National Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Grand Bassa County authorities, to immediately investigate the disappearance as a potential case of child abduction or trafficking.
Among its recommendations, CeHRD urged authorities to suspend any hospital staff found to have had direct custodial responsibility at the time of the disappearance pending investigation, review the actions of officials who allegedly had knowledge of the case, provide psychosocial and legal support to the teenage mother, strengthen security measures in maternity wards nationwide, and publicly disclose the outcome of the investigation within a reasonable timeframe.
The organization also appealed to development partners, including UNICEF, UNFPA, the European Union Delegation, the United States Embassy, and other international partners supporting Liberia’s health and justice sectors, to monitor the case and provide technical assistance where appropriate.
Concluding its statement, CeHRD vowed to continue monitoring the investigation until the missing infant is found and those responsible are held accountable.
As of the issuance of CeHRD’s statement, the whereabouts of the newborn remained unknown, and no suspect had been publicly identified or charged.
