A shocking case has emerged from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, where a 23-year-old mother placed her 15-day-old infant inside a refrigerator, an act later linked to a severe mental health condition known as postpartum psychosis. Fortunately, the baby was rescued in time by his grandmother and is now reported to be safe.

The young woman, who lives with her husband and in-laws in Jabbar Colony, had given birth just two weeks ago. According to family members, the child had been crying continuously, leaving the mother visibly distressed. In a state of confusion, she carried the newborn to the kitchen, placed him in the refrigerator, and returned to bed as though nothing unusual had happened.

Moments later, the baby’s muffled cries caught the attention of the grandmother, who rushed to the refrigerator and immediately pulled the infant out. The child was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed that he was unharmed.

When questioned by family members about her actions, the mother shockingly replied, “He was not sleeping, so I put him in the fridge.” Her detached and calm response alarmed the family, who initially believed she had been possessed or influenced by negative energies. Out of fear and confusion, they sought the help of a local occult practitioner and conducted ritualistic ceremonies. However, her condition showed no improvement.

Eventually, the family consulted a medical professional, who diagnosed her with postpartum psychosis — a rare but serious mental illness that can occur after childbirth. Unlike the more common postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis involves extreme mood disturbances, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and in some cases, dangerous behavior toward oneself or the child.

Psychiatrists have since admitted the woman for specialized treatment. Doctors have emphasized that the condition requires urgent medical intervention, as delays could endanger both the mother and her newborn.

Experts highlight that postpartum psychosis affects only a small percentage of new mothers but is considered a psychiatric emergency. Early detection, awareness, and access to mental health care are critical to preventing tragedies.

This incident underscores the urgent need for greater awareness about maternal mental health in India, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where mental illness is often misunderstood or attributed to supernatural causes. Health professionals stress that families and communities must be educated about postnatal mental health so that new mothers receive timely medical care instead of being subjected to superstitious practices.

While the infant has survived the terrifying ordeal unharmed, the case serves as a wake-up call about the silent struggles faced by new mothers battling psychological conditions that remain hidden due to stigma and lack of awareness.