Karima Jiwani, Georgia mom of Baby India sentenced to 30 years leaving newborn baby in plastic bag to die in Forsyth County woods. Passing family saved crying child’s life with DNA testing taking 4 years before mom’s identity was revealed.
A Georgia woman has pled guilty to attempted murder after placing her newborn baby daughter in a plastic bag and then abandoning her in the woods, leaving her to die. Miraculously the girl survived after a nearby family heard the newborn crying.
Karima Jiwani, 41, of Forsyth County, entered a negotiated guilty plea on Feb. 13 to attempted murder and first-degree cruelty to children. She was sentenced to 30 years, with 15 years in prison and the rest on probation, 11Alive reported.
Deputies and paramedics arrived in time to save the baby, later dubbed ‘Baby India’ by authorities. Body-worn cameras caught the moment Deputy Terry Roper tore open the bag and found the infant with its umbilical cord still attached. She was rushed to an area hospital to be checked out. The infant was in good condition. She weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces.
For nearly four years, following the newborn’s June, 2019 discovery, investigators worked tirelessly to determine the identity of her mother. A major breakthrough came when advanced DNA testing led them to the child’s father, who had been completely unaware of the pregnancy. From there, investigators were able to identify Jiwani as the mother.
At the time of her arrest, Jiwani was charged with attempted murder, first-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault, and reckless abandonment.
‘This child was tied up in a plastic bag and thrown into the woods like a bag of trash,’ Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman told 11Alive. ‘It is one of the saddest cases I have ever seen.’
At a 2023 news conference, Freeman also revealed that Jiwani had a history of hidden pregnancies and surprise births.
Authorities believe Jiwani gave birth in her car, then drove around before making the decision to abandon the child in an area where she would not be found.
Georgia, like all other states, has a ‘Safe Haven‘ law, allowing mothers to leave their newborns at designated locations such as hospitals, fire stations, or police stations without facing criminal charges within a certain allotted time, usually up to 30 days.
During a previous court hearing, Jiwani’s defense attorneys argued that she had been suffering from psychosis and postpartum depression at the time of the incident. However, prosecutors said she deliberately hid her pregnancy and abandoned the baby to ensure she would not be found.
Defense had also argued Jiwani having no prior criminal history along with being a homeowner and stay-at-home mom to three minor children.
As part of her sentencing, Jiwani will serve 15 years on probation following her release.
Baby India’s real name has not been released. Nevertheless Georgia authorities have revealed the infant girl being healthy and thriving, while declining to share details of her guardianship. Baby India is now more than 5 years and 7 months old.
