A Kenyan woman, Irine Jerotich, has pleaded guilty to throwing her newborn baby out of a window in Australia in August this year after giving birth at home.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard that Jerotich, 26, gave birth in in her house before wrapping the infant boy and hurling him from a window, leaving him with severe injuries.

Neighbours, who were shocked by the incident, quickly alerted paramedics after discovering the critically injured child. They told authorities they had no idea Jerotich had been pregnant.

Following the baby’s rescue, Jerotich was placed under police guard while receiving treatment at a hospital.

The case has now been referred to the County Court, with proceedings scheduled to resume in February 2026.

Jerotich, who is in Australia on a student visa, works as a disability support worker.

Studies show that, cases in which new mothers harm their infants often raise questions about underlying mental health conditions. One of the most significant risk factors is postpartum depression (PPD), and in more severe instances, postpartum psychosis.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth globally experience mental health disorders, primarily depression. Postpartum depression can begin during pregnancy or within the first year after childbirth. Symptoms may include severe mood swings, difficulty bonding with the baby, feelings of shame or guilt, and in extreme cases, thoughts of harming the baby or oneself.

Recent studies show that postpartum depression affects around 1 in 7 women after giving birth, with nearly half of these cases going undiagnosed.

An Ethiopian study reported a prevalence of 22.9% for late postpartum depression, with contributing factors including low social support and intimate partner violence.

In Kenya, the rates are even higher among vulnerable groups: up to 48% in HIV-positive mothers, 58% in pregnant adolescents, and 66% among mothers of malnourished babies.

While most women with PPD do not engage in violent behavior, postpartum psychosis—a rarer but more severe condition—has been linked to infanticide and suicide. A review of global cases found that about 4% of untreated postpartum psychosis cases involved infanticide. Another study in India revealed that among women with severe postpartum psychiatric disorders, 43% had infanticidal thoughts and 36% reported infanticidal behavior.

Although Jerotich’s motive remains unclear, her case highlights the urgent need to address maternal mental health. Experts stress that early screening, intervention, and treatment are essential in preventing such tragedies.