Maddur: A newborn baby girl, who was found abandoned at Hemmanahalli Forest area near here has been rescued by the villagers on Friday morning.

Villagers, who heard the sound of an infant crying, rushed to the spot and found the baby in a cloth bag. Later, one Vimala of Shivapura, took the baby to her house, where she gave the baby a bath and nursed it.

Meanwhile, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Chethan Kumar and staff rushed to Shivapura and took custody of the baby from Vimala and brought the baby to Gurushanthappa Government Hospital, where first aid was provided to the baby. The baby was later handed over to the Child Welfare Committee at Mandya. Chethan said that if Vimala was interested to take care of the baby, she can adopt the baby legally.

Officials Chitra, Sinchana and Shylaja were present. A case has been registered at Maddur Police Station in this regard.