THE suspect in the kidnapping of a two-day-old child turned himself in to authorities Monday night, September 2, hours after the baby was said to have been found in an abandoned house in Gingoog City.
Police identified the suspect as 20-year-old Richard Bernadez, a member of the LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual+) community. The suspect is not related to the child's family.
Bernadez told police he took the baby because he wanted to have a child. He was afraid that his boyfriend would leave him since he could not bear a child of his own.
"Motive is obsession of having a baby and also obsession of his boyfriend," Gingoog City Police Chief Aril Phillip Pontillas said.
The baby girl was delivered last August 30 in a government-run birthing facility but was reported missing on September 1.
Pontillas said the suspect asked a certain Rigedor Precillas, a resident of Barangay 19, Gingoog City, to return the baby after learning that the police were already after him.
Precillas earlier said he heard the baby cry and found her in an abandoned house nearby.
He immediately turned the baby over to police. An hour later, the suspect was brought in by his mother.
"Namakak tong naghatod sa bata. Dili tinuod nga gibilin but gihatag sa suspect ang bata para i-surrender kay nahadlok na ang suspek," Pontillas said.
Bernadez will face kidnapping and illegal detention charges.
Pontillas said they will not press charges against Precillas, who lied on his statement but authorities will have him stand as witness.
Precillas will still likely receive the P15,000 reward from the City Government.