Nalgonda shocker: Mother abandons 15-month-old boy to elope with Instagram friend

Nalgonda: A 15-month-old boy was found crying at the Nalgonda RTC bus stand on Sunday, after his mother allegedly deserted him to elope with a man she had met on Instagram.

The incident has raised concerns over the growing misuse of social media and the safety of children in vulnerable households.

Crying child alerts public

The infant, later identified as Dhanush, was noticed by bus depot staff and passersby, who were alarmed to find him unattended and visibly distressed. They immediately informed the police.

Mother caught on CCTV

Police teams from Two Town station, led by SI V. Saidulu, arrived at the scene and reviewed CCTV footage from the bus stand. The visuals showed the boy’s mother, Naveena, a married woman from Hyderabad, leaving the child at the spot and walking away.

Moments later, she was seen riding off on a motorcycle with a man, suspected to be from the Old City area of Nalgonda. In a heart-wrenching moment during the investigation, the child reportedly cried out “Mummy” when shown the footage, identifying his mother on screen.

Social media link revealed

Further inquiry revealed that Naveena had been in an online relationship with the man, whom she met on Instagram. The duo had reportedly been in touch for several months before she decided to leave her husband and elope, abandoning her child in the process.

Bike owner helps trace suspect

Using the registration details of the motorcycle seen in the footage, police traced its owner, who revealed that his friend—Naveena’s alleged paramour—had borrowed the vehicle. This crucial lead helped police connect the dots and track down the couple.

All parties brought for counselling

Following the investigation, police summoned Naveena, her husband, and the man involved to the station for counselling. After a round of initial counselling and verification of details, the 15-month-old boy was safely handed over to his father.

Further action under consideration

Police have not confirmed whether any criminal charges will be filed, but sources indicated that the matter may be referred to the Child Welfare Committee for further review. Authorities are also expected to counsel the parents regarding the emotional and psychological impact on the child.