2-3 kids born out of wedlock given up in Ernakulam every month

KOCHI: On average, 2-3 children born out of wedlock are surrendered to govt agencies in Ernakulam every month, as per data from child welfare committee (CWC). In the past 22 months till Jan 2026, CWC received 62 children born to unwed couplesMajority of couples who surrendered the “unwanted” child were permanent residents of another district, it was found. They had been in the district either for studies or work. During this period, they got romantically involved and became pregnant. Most children were surrendered by the parents or the mother through hospitals where the babies were delivered. This was done after they informed hospital authorities about their unwillingness to raise the child. Some directly reached out to CWC even before the delivery.In a recent case, a 22-yearold woman, who was in the district for studies, got into a relationship with a man and delivered a baby. Before accepting the child, officialsspoke to the couple, both of whom were unwilling to raise the child as their families wouldn’t accept it. When they asked the woman whether she would marry the same person who impregnated her, the woman replied that it would be difficult to say.“Often, romantic relationships lead to pregnancy and they come to know about it after the stage for abortion lapses. Due to fear of familyobjection, the couple won’t be able to raise the baby, resulting in the surrender. Most mothers aren’t emotionally connected to the baby. It is better to see people surrendering babies, they aren’t emotionally attached to and missed the abortion stage, with govt than killing the baby and being tagged a criminal,” said Ernakulam CWC chairman Ullas Madhu.Another case reported toCWC was about a woman who only realised after she was eight months pregnant. “Abortion isn’t possible at this stage. Hence, they wanted to surrender the baby. Her trouble with PCOD and irregular menstrual cycle made it difficult for her to identify earlier that she was pregnant,” he said.Migrants from other states also surrender babies to CWC in the district.Mothers willing to take back a surrendered baby have also been reported in the district. “Most Pocso-related pregnancies are out of romantic relationships. Recently, a Pocso survivor delivered a baby and surrendered it to us.Those who surrender babies can take them back in 60 days by following procedures. Sometimes, the mother approaches us for its return after the couple attain legal marriageable age and their families agree to it. We hand over babies when the girl turns 18 years of age,” he said.Abandonment cases were very few in the district, he added.