A 28 year-old mother of two Faustina Arthur who stole a three month old baby girl, Faith Nyamekye, at Wasa Akropong in the Western region has been sentenced to three years imprisonment in hard labour by the Tarkwa circuit court.

 The accused, popularly known as Yaa Yaa, pleaded guilty to child stealing and said she committed the offense because she admired the baby girl.

 Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah told the court presided over by Mr. Justice Obeng Asante that, the complainant, Charity Owusu Ansah, is a seamstress apprentice at Wasa Akropong and the accused, a resident of Adukwa near Wasa Appiah Nkwanta.

 He said about 1530 hours on April 30, this year, the complainant visited her husband in his store at Wasa Akropong Township with her baby girl.

 Chief Inspector Amponsah said the complainant gave the baby to one Simon Addo, a younger brother of the husband, who was also sitting in the store and asked him to take care of the baby to enable her to purchase some items from the market.

 He said the accused who was also sitting in front of the store opted voluntarily to take care of the baby and the complainant handed over the baby to her and left.

 Chief Inspector Amponsah said thirty minutes later, when the complainant returned from the market the accused and her baby could not be found.

 He said the complainant made a report to the Wasa Akropong police but the Police could not trace the accused.

 Chief Inspector Amponsah said on May 5, Police extended the investigation to Adukwa Town and found the three months old baby with the accused who was arrested.