Section 17: Finding of newborn child

17. Finding of newborn child (1) Any person who finds a newborn child shall within 24 hours of the finding give notice of the fact to the nearest police station. (2) (a) Upon a notification under subsection (1), the police officer in charge of the police station shall examine the child and take possession of the clothing and any effects found with the child. (b) He shall draw up a report indicating— (i) the names, profession and residence of the person who found the child; (ii) the place where the child was exhibited to him; (iii) the sex and probable age of the child; (iv) the time and place where the child was found; (v) the nature of all clothing and effects found with the child; and (vi) any other particulars which in his opinion may assist in the identification of the child. (3) The report made under subsection (2) shall be signed by the police officer, the person who found the child and any witnesses. (4) The police officer shall forthwith send the report to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for the subject of child development, who shall take all necessary steps for the declaration of the birth of the child and for his upbringing in an orphanage or institution. [Issue 1] C24 – 12 Revised Laws of Mauritius (5) The child shall bear the names given to him by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry responsible for the subject of child development. [S. 17 amended by Act 15 of 1998.]