A 16-year-old girl was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a baby from the Dora Nginza hospital in Port Elizabeth, a Eastern Cape health department spokesperson said on Sunday.

"She was a patient in the hospital and had a miscarriage. She is the same person that we identified on our CCTV system," Sizwe Kupelo said of the alleged kidnapper.

The baby boy, who was only hours old when he was stolen on Friday afternoon, was found at the girl's home in Alexandria, between Port Alfred and Port Elizabeth on Sunday morning.

He was taken back to the hospital's intensive care unit for security and precautionary reasons. A blood sample was taken to make sure it was the right baby.

"We informed the mother, but can only confirm that it is her child after we receive the results of the DNA tests," said Kupelo. This would take about a week, as it had to be sent to Gauteng.

The boy suffered no injuries.

The hospital immediately launched an internal investigation after the baby was reported missing and found the suspect on their CCTV footage.

"We took the leads to the police, who opened a kidnapping case."

Senior Superintendent Vena Cele, head of the detective branch at the KwaZakele police in Port Elizabeth, said the boy was found at the 16-year-old girl's house around 9.30am on Sunday.

"She will appear on charges of child stealing at the New Brighton Court tomorrow," he said.

Sapa

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