Dad of Mozambican flood baby denied rights by court

A court on Thursday denied parental rights to the father of a girl who became a symbol of Mozambican hope after being born in a tree during the devastating floods of 2000.

Rosita Cherindza, now seven years old, became Mozambique’s most famous baby when she was rescued from flood waters as a newborn in an evacuation broadcast worldwide. Well-wishers responded by sending her goods and gifts.

On Thursday, the Chibuto District Court in Mozambique’s south ruled that her father, Salvador Mabuiango, had cheated her by selling off all the donated goods.

The court withdrew parental power from Mabuiango and entrusted Rosita’s possessions to her mother, Sofia Carolina Cherindza, news reports said.

Rosita’s birth made headlines during floods that killed hundreds of people and left thousands homeless.

A South African helicopter crew rescued Rosita, her mother and her grandmother shortly after the girl was born high up in the branches of a tree.

The government promised to help Rosita and her family, providing them with a new house, furniture, a farm and four head of oxen. Bank accounts also were set up to fund Rosita’s education.

However, the court found that Mabuiango sold the goods—including the livestock, a refrigerator, a generator and a solar panel, according to a report on Radio Mozambique and Television.

“We have been unable to recover most of the goods,” said Chibuto district attorney Jose dos Santos.

Rosita’s mother said she had been unable to intervene. “He would beat me up when I reprimanded him about the matter,” she said.—Sapa-AP