CUMMING, GA – A Georgia mother will serve 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to leaving her newborn daughter in the woods inside a plastic bag. The sentence was handed down last week, followed by 15 years of probation, for 41-year-old Karima Jiwani after she admitted to charges of attempted murder and first-degree cruelty to children.

This unsettling case dates back to June 2019 when Jiwani abandoned her infant, who later became known as “Baby India,” a moniker given by investigators during their search for the mother. The child was discovered by teenagers living nearby in Forsyth County, who were drawn to the area by the sound of her cries. Without their intervention, authorities believe the infant would not have survived.

Sheriff Ron Freeman expressed his dismay at the callousness of Jiwani’s actions during a press conference following her arrest. He recalled the shocking discovery, stating, “This child was tied up in a plastic bag and thrown into the woods like a bag of trash.”

Despite the lack of any initial clues about her identity, the pursuit of Baby India’s biological parents continued. The breakthrough came nearly four years later, thanks to advanced DNA testing by Othram Labs, allowing investigators to confirm Jiwani as the mother. Their work not only identified her but also ruled out any involvement by the child’s father, who was reportedly unaware of both the pregnancy and abandonment.

Upon being rescued, Baby India was taken to a hospital and subsequently thrived under care. Now five years old, her life began with a dramatic rescue by a deputy who would later participate in Jiwani’s arrest, using the sheriff’s own handcuffs in a symbolic closure of the case.

Jiwani’s personal history played a critical role in the investigation. Detectives uncovered a pattern of concealed pregnancies and unannounced births, shedding light on her possible behavior and motives.

Despite the resolution to the case, questions of motive linger. “No motive can justify this decision,” underscored Sheriff Freeman, reflecting the sentiments of many as the case drew to a close. “It is literally one of the saddest things I have ever seen.” Jiwani was living with her other children at the time of her arrest, a fact that adds layers of complexity to an already disturbing case.

As the legal proceedings conclude, the focus remains on the well-being of Baby India, a child whose remarkable resilience has captured the hearts of many.