Monkey throws 20-day-old baby girl into well in Chhattisgarh, father says 'diaper' saved her

Monkey snatches newborn in Chhattisgarh village. (AI-generated image)

A 20‑day‑old baby girl survived an ordeal that villagers are calling nothing short of a miracle. In a shocking turn of events in Sevni village, located in the Janjgir‑Champa district of Chhattisgarh, a monkey snatched the newborn from her mother’s arms and threw her into an uncovered well. But through rapid action by locals and the timely medical care of a passing nurse, the infant was pulled to safety and revived.

As reported by The Times of India, the incident happened on Wednesday while the baby’s mother, Sunita Rathore, was sitting on her porch with her baby. According to the family, four or five monkeys were on a nearby roof when one suddenly jumped, grabbed the baby, and ran onto the rooftop.

As relatives raised an alarm and set off firecrackers to scare the animal, the monkey threw the baby into a neighbouring well before fleeing. Villagers acted quickly, lowering a bucket into the well and pulling the infant out within minutes.

The baby had swallowed a considerable amount of water but did not sink completely into the well. Her father, Arvind Rathore, said the diaper she was wearing helped her stay afloat. He explained, “If my daughter is alive today, it is because a nurse was present at that exact moment, and because of the diaper she was wearing.”

Rajeshwari Rathore, a nurse posted at the Sargawan primary health centre, happened to be in the village to attend a religious event. She rushed to the scene, cleared water from the baby’s mouth, performed CPR, and warmed her body. Moments later, the newborn began crying.

The infant was first taken to the district hospital and later shifted to the ICU of a private hospital. Doctors said her condition is stable and improving. Arvind Rathore, who works at a power plant, praised the nurse’s timely help and warned about the growing presence of wild animals in rural areas. He said such encounters are putting children and families at risk.