Baby Taken from Shopping Centre: Lessons and Safety Tips for Parents

In South Africa, a child goes missing every five hours on average, and while not all are due to abductions, the statistic is a stark reminder that parents must remain alert.

A recent incident in Cape Town has highlighted how quickly a normal outing can turn into every parent’s worst nightmare. In late June 2025, a 9-day-old infant was abducted from a shopping centre in Bellville after an unsuspecting mother briefly entrusted her child to a woman she had met a few weeks before giving birth.

The mother, feeling unwell and “nauseous,” left her newborn in the care of her new acquaintance while she went to the bathroom, only to return and find both the woman and her baby gone. The suspect, a 37-year-old female only identified as Chivon, was later arrested, and the baby was safely found in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain.

This frightening episode serves as a sobering reminder: even in a busy public venue, a child can disappear in mere moments if vigilance lapses.

What makes this case particularly unsettling is the elaborate deception that preceded the abduction. The kidnapper had allegedly groomed the mother for weeks, posing as a charitable worker from a reputable maternal health NGO. She befriended the expectant mum, took her out for lunch multiple times and gained her trust by offering counselling and baby-care workshops. On the day of the kidnapping, the woman even arranged transport and shared a meal with the new mother under the guise of heading to a parenting class. During that meal, the mother suddenly became “sick and dizzy”. She began vomiting, which forced her to momentarily hand her infant to the companion while she rushed to the nearest toilet. In those few minutes, the woman vanished with the baby.

Authorities suspect the mother may have been deliberately incapacitated via food or a drink, given the suspicious timing of her illness. Thankfully, due to swift police work and community tips, the newborn was found unharmed three days later, and the ordeal ended in relief rather than tragedy.

This incident, however, is far from isolated. South African authorities have reported multiple cases of infant abductions in both public and semi-public spaces in recent months. In Gauteng, for example, two babies were snatched from healthcare facilities in separate incidents, after mothers let their guard down momentarily at clinics. Both infants were recovered safely, but only thanks to CCTV and rapid action by staff and police. In 2022, a one-year-old girl was nearly abducted from a supermarket trolley in Gqeberha when her parents’ backs were turned “for a blink of an eye,” according to police. In that case, two women working in tandem managed to lift the toddler from the shopping cart within seconds, underscoring how quickly such crimes can unfold.

These examples drive home a crucial point: public places like malls, shops, hospitals and transit hubs, which we often assume are safe due to crowds and cameras, can still present opportunities to those who would prey on distracted parents.

Why Vigilance Matters More Than Ever

Several factors make vigilance in public spaces absolutely essential. Kidnappers often exploit moments of vulnerability or distraction, like the few minutes a parent steps away or looks elsewhere to strike. As the Gauteng Health Department cautioned after recent incidents, “we are seeing a trend where parents place their trust in strangers, often during vulnerable moments… We urge all parents and guardians to never leave their children unattended”.

In the Cape Town mall case, the kidnapper’s deceit was calculated to create such a vulnerable moment. By posing as a helpful friend, the woman manipulated the mother’s trust. Authorities note that imposters may present themselves as nurses, charity workers or Good Samaritans; anything to appear legitimate and caring. This modus operandi has been seen before: police and missing-child organisations warn that some women who cannot have children will go to extreme lengths, even faking credentials or uniforms, to win a new mother’s confidence and then abduct the baby.

Moreover, opportunistic abductions can happen in a flash if a child is left unguarded. “Within the blink of an eye, it is possible for children to get lost or taken by a stranger,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) warned after the Gqeberha trolley incident. “Be vigilant and always keep an eye on your children”.

Crowded venues can create a false sense of security, as one might assume “someone will notice if something is wrong.” But kidnappers often capitalise on exactly that assumption. They may create distractions, work in pairs or simply wait until a parent’s attention drifts. Surveillance footage from various abduction cases has shown how a perpetrator can calmly walk away with a baby, blending into the crowd before the parent even realises the child is missing.

Finally, the aftermath of such crimes reminds us why prevention is paramount. Even when the child is recovered safely, families go through unimaginable anguish in those hours or days of uncertainty. The young Cape Town mother, 25-year-old Imaan Sharmar, was devastated and wracked with worry during the three days her newborn was missing. “I keep thinking, is he drinking, is he clothed, is his nappy being changed? What are [her] intentions with my son?” she said in a tearful plea for her baby’s return. Her husband had not even met the baby yet when the abduction occurred.

Such stories are every parent’s nightmare, and they highlight that while police may work tirelessly to bring our children home, the first line of defence is proactive safety behaviour by parents and caregivers.

Below, we outline key dos and don’ts to help parents keep their little ones safe in public spaces.

Safety Dos and Don’ts for Parents in Public Areas

Taking young children out in public need not be an ordeal, but it does require vigilance and some sensible precautions. Here are some essential safety tips (the dos and don’ts) inspired by experts’ advice and lessons learned from real incidents:

• DO keep your baby in sight and within arm’s reach at all times. You should always be able to see your child, and they should be able to see you. Whether you’re in a shopping centre, a park or a clinic waiting room, maintain visual contact. Kidnappings and lost-child cases often happen when a parent’s attention lapses “within seconds”. If you’re pushing a pram or shopping trolley with your baby in it, never walk away from it (even momentarily) and try to keep one hand on it if possible. Remember, turning your back for even “a blink of an eye” can be enough for an abductor to make their move.

• DO stay alert and trust your instincts. Keep aware of your surroundings and the people near you. If someone is hanging around you and showing unusual interest in your baby, asking too many personal questions, or trying to get close, treat it as a red flag. Law enforcement experts note that would-be kidnappers sometimes scope out targets by striking up conversations or hovering nearby, acting “too interested” in the child. Don’t hesitate to move to a more secure area or alert security if anyone’s behaviour makes you uncomfortable. Trust your gut: if something feels “off” about a situation or person, err on the side of caution.

• DO verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be an official helper. If a person approaches you saying they represent a hospital, clinic, or charity (as in the Cape Town case), politely ask for identification and verify it. You can call the organisation they claim to be from to confirm whether they have workers in that area. Genuine professionals will understand and not pressure you. Sadly, kidnappers have impersonated nurses, social workers, or NGO staff to gain trust. Double-checking could thwart a deception. When in doubt, involve on-site authorities (mall security, store management, or police) for verification.

  

  

  

  

  

• DO use available safety resources and support. Many shopping centres and large stores offer family restrooms or mother-and-baby facilities, so opt to use those so you can take your child in with you instead of leaving them outside. If you suddenly feel ill or have an emergency, seek help from official staff or even a kind employee or security guard rather than a random bystander. In the words of Gauteng’s health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, “inform staff if you need assistance or must temporarily step away from the child”. It’s better to ask for a staff member to watch your trolley or escort you, for example, than to rely on an unfamiliar person, no matter how friendly they seem.

• DON’T entrust your baby to strangers with absolutely no exceptions. One of the clearest messages from authorities after recent cases is to never leave your child in the care of someone you don’t know well, even for a brief moment. “Do not entrust your baby to a stranger, no matter how friendly or helpful they may seem,” Nkomo-Ralehoko urged parents. This applies everywhere, at the mall, in a clinic, even at church or a family event. However exhausted or overwhelmed you may feel, handing your infant to a person you just met (or don’t fully trust) is a risk not worth taking. If you need an extra pair of hands, turn to a relative or friend, or use a carrier to keep the baby with you. As the Gauteng Health Department pointed out after two clinic abductions, these incidents happen often when parents are “vulnerable”, like being busy with paperwork, feeling unwell, or needing the toilet, and a stranger offers to help. Stay on guard during those vulnerable moments: it’s perfectly okay to decline offers of help with your child.

• DON’T leave your child unattended in public areas. It may seem obvious, but in the hustle and bustle of shopping or travel, parents sometimes park a pram or car seat “just for a second”, for instance, leaving a stroller outside a shop door, or walking a few steps away to grab an item off a supermarket shelf. These scenarios are exactly what kidnappers look for. Never leave a baby alone in a pram, trolley, or on a public changing table while you step away. In one Johannesburg case, a mother briefly left her baby on a clinic changing station, and an unknown woman offered to assist, then disappeared with the infant moments later. Likewise, don’t send young children off alone to play areas, public toilets, or entertainment areas in malls while you shop. Always accompany them or ensure a trusted caregiver is watching them closely. Your constant supervision is the greatest deterrent to would-be abductors.

• DON’T accept food or drinks from people you have just met. An offer of a soda, a cup of tea, or a snack might seem like a kind gesture from a friendly stranger, but think twice. Criminals have been known to use drugged food or drinks to incapacitate parents (or caretakers) in order to kidnap children. In the Bellville case, the mother’s sudden bout of dizziness and vomiting right after eating with the suspect raised suspicions that it was not a coincidence. To be safe, avoid consuming anything provided by someone you don’t trust fully. If you do start to feel unwell in public, hold your child and seek help from official personnel or bystanders who are parents themselves, rather than handing your baby to the person who gave you the item. Unfortunately, we have to think this way, but a bit of caution could prevent a cunning kidnapping ploy.

• DON’T get lost in distractions. Modern life is full of distractions like phones, shopping lists, other kids, etc. Strive to minimise distractions when out with your baby. For example, if you need to make a call or send a message, position yourself with your stroller in front of you and stay aware of who is around. Avoid wearing headphones or anything that dulls your awareness of your environment. If you are browsing items on a shelf, keep one hand on the pram or trolley so you can feel if it moves. The key is to remain present: your social media feed or that urgent work email can wait a few minutes if you’re juggling childcare in a public place. Many parents of abducted children lament afterwards, “I only looked away for a second.” Reducing distractions helps ensure that second never comes.

• DO teach your older children basic safety rules, too. If you have older siblings with you, instruct them never to wander off and what to do if they get separated. For instance, they should know to find a uniformed employee or a police or security officer and not to leave the store or mall under any circumstances. While infants obviously cannot do this, having a family safety plan is wise. Designate a meeting spot in a mall in case you get split up, and make sure young kids memorise a parent’s phone number if possible. Abductors sometimes target toddlers or young children who stray from their parents, so sticking together is crucial. Also, consider using safety tools like child leashes or ID bracelets for toddlers in crowded places, anything that gives you extra peace of mind.

• DO remain calm, but act fast if the worst happens. In the unlikely event you turn around and your child is missing, every second counts. Alert mall security or officials immediately, call the police and enlist nearby people to start a search. Do not wait to see if the child “turns up”. Authorities emphasise there is no 24-hour waiting period for missing children. The moment you realise a baby or child is gone, it’s an emergency. Contact Crime Stop (08600 10111) or your local emergency number at once, and if you’re in a place with a public address system, ask for an announcement to be made. According to Missing Children South Africa, “Do not wait 24 hours to report your missing child”.  Immediate reporting vastly improves the chances of a safe recovery. If your child has been grabbed by an actual kidnapper, quick action can lead to roadblocks, CCTV tracking and community lookout messages before the trail goes cold. It is every parent’s hope never to face this situation, but knowing how to respond can make all the difference.

YOU MUST READ: Shedding light on missing children in South Africa

Staying Safe in Public: A Shared Responsibility

While the thought of child abductions is frightening, being proactive and prepared can significantly reduce the risk. Constant vigilance, a healthy sense of caution with strangers, and good old-fashioned attentiveness are a parent’s best tools for keeping their little ones safe. Communities and authorities are also doing their part, as shopping centres have CCTV and security patrols, and police respond rapidly when alerted. In many of the cases above, swift action by security and law enforcement led to happy reunions. Those successes often began with a parent who noticed something was wrong immediately and raised the alarm.

By following these safety dos and don’ts, parents can confidently enjoy outings with their children while minimising dangers. The recent Cape Town incident, harrowing as it was, ended with a positive outcome and can serve as an important wake-up call. As one community policing forum member put it, this case “should be an eye-opener to many” and a reminder that it only takes a moment for tragedy to strike, but also that a few simple precautions can keep our precious children out of harm’s way. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and hold your little ones close in public. By so doing, you greatly improve their safety in an unpredictable world.