Wild animals said to have killed baby

NEW DELHI: A partially chewed body of a 9-month-old baby in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has been found near a pond on the outskirts of Mauzamabad Village in Lakhimpur Kheri District.

The baby, Shivani, was sleeping with her mother in their home’s courtyard. When her mother woke up, her daughter was missing. She raised the alarm, seeking the help of police and fellow villagers.

After a day-long search, police discovered the baby girl’s body on Sunday. Police suspect wild animals may have snatched the child.

The autopsy report confirmed the baby was killed by an animal. “Shivani’s house is on the fringe of the village. Jackals, wolves and leopards lurk amid the cane crops,” police said. On July 29, a girl, 3, suffered the same fate.