A Filipina woman has been arrested following the discovery of a newborn boy in a rubbish bin at a Bangkok shopping mall. On March 20, around 4:20 PM, a cleaner found the infant’s body in a trash bag in the women’s bathroom at a mall in Khlong Toei. The cleaner reported the finding to mall security, who then notified the police.
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The investigation revealed CCTV footage of a foreign woman acting suspiciously in the area. She was seen exiting the bathroom with a pink suitcase and a white tote bag. Authorities identified her as 25-year-old Jovelyn Canino Cardienete and tracked her to Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal where they found bloodstains on her footwear.
Medical examinations confirmed that Cardienete had recently given birth and required medical treatment. She was provided with necessary care, including an injection and stitches, at Police General Hospital and remained under police supervision overnight. Currently, police are awaiting further confirmation through lab testing and an autopsy.
If confirmed as the mother, Cardienete faces a charge under Section 199 of the Criminal Law for illegal handling of a corpse. This could result in up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities aim to complete the necessary tests to confirm maternity, reported The Thaiger.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 23 Mar 2026