BUKIT MERTAJAM: It was a short-lived joy for a couple who found a baby girl abandoned outside their house in Bukit Minyak near here.

The couple, who has been childless after 10 years of marriage, thought that it was a gift from God.

They kept the baby for 36 hours in their house but later handed her over the police following advice from neighbours.

Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Azman Abd Lah said the baby believed to be a week-old was wrapped in a napkin and left on a table outside the house of a 38-year-old factory worker on Sunday.

The factory worker saw the baby after he returned home at 11pm after prayers at a nearby mosque.

The couple wanted to adopt the baby as they have no children.

But their neighbours caution them that it was an offence to keep the baby, he told a press conference here yesterday.

ACP Azman said the couple surrendered the baby to the district police headquarters at Bandar Perda here at about 11am yesterday.

The baby weighing 1.4kg was sent to the Bukit Mertajam Hospital. She is in good health, he said.

He said the police were trying to trace the babys parents.

Members of the public who have any information can contact ASP S. Subramaniam at 019-6351119 or the nearest police station.

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