Cuttack, april 11: A baby girl who was abandoned on a roadside shortly after birth is set to begin a new chapter in life after being adopted by an Italian couple. The child, who was born with a heart defect, will now travel to Italy and is expected to receive advanced medical care and a nurturing family environment.

According to sources, the newborn was found on August 14, 2024, in an abandoned area near Jagatpur Golei Chhak in Cuttack. Following instructions from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), the infant was rescued and admitted to the city-based adoption agency “Vasundhara.”

Medical examinations revealed that the baby had a 9 mm hole in her heart, a condition known as Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD). She underwent regular treatment at Shishu Bhavan and SCB Medical College and Hospital, leading to an improvement in her condition, with the defect reducing to 6 mm. Doctors remain optimistic about her full recovery.

Despite efforts, no Indian family came forward to adopt the child. Subsequently, an Italian couple, Sandro Polo and Francisca Person Polo, expressed interest through the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Francisca is a university professor, while Sandro works as a director at a refugee camp.

The child was formally handed over to the couple on Friday at the office of the Cuttack District Collector, Dattatreya Bhausaheb Shinde, in the presence of officials and staff of the adoption agency. The occasion was marked by emotional scenes as caregivers bid farewell to the child, who had become a beloved presence at the institution.

Officials said the child will now travel to Italy with her adoptive parents, where she is expected to receive better healthcare and grow up in a supportive environment.