Palakkad (Kerala): Tension gripped a tribal hospital in Kerala’s Attappady on Saturday after a four-month-old baby girl reportedly went missing while undergoing treatment—only to be traced hours later following swift police action.

According to police, the infant disappeared from the state-run tribal hospital, prompting officers from Agali police station to launch an immediate search operation. The breakthrough came after reviewing CCTV footage from the hospital premises.

“In the visuals, it could be seen that a woman, who was sitting as a bystander of another patient in the same ward, was taking the child,” police said.

Acting on the clues, investigators tracked down the woman to a nearby location and found the baby unharmed. A man suspected to be involved in the incident was also taken into custody.

“The motive behind the taking away of the child and other details could be availed only after a detailed interrogation,” a police officer said.

The child is safe, and further action is expected. A formal case had not yet been registered at the time of reporting, police added.

PTI