The Kpando Circuit Court has sentenced a 31-year old Stella Amedorme to 3 years in prison with hard labour for child abduction.

Prosecution told the court on Monday, August 3, that on Thursday July 16, 2026, a complaint was lodged by Madam Gloria Mansah Dzagbo alleging that her 8-month old child, Joel Dzidefo Acheampong, had been unlawfully taken under deceptive circumstances at the Kpando Market around 3:30 pm.

According to the complainant, she had visited the market to sell groundnuts and, during the transaction, her child who was strapped at her back began crying so the buyer who later was identified as Stella Amedorme offered to hold the child temporarily while the complainant completes her sale.

The complainant stated that after 3 bowls of groundnuts were measured, she informed her that the available stock had been exhausted and that additional groundnuts would need to be collected from another shop trusting the suspect.

The complainant had briefly left the child in her care while she went to obtain the remaining quantity and upon her return,the suspect and the child were nowhere to be found.

Following the report, the Ghana Police Service immediately activated standard “missing child” response procedures including obtaining photographs of the child, disserminating information through police communication channels nationwide and alerting relevant police formations to assist in tracing the suspect and recovering the child.

The suspect was later arrested on Saturday July 18,2026 from her hide out at Bowiri Toviate in the Oti Region after introducing the stolen child to her said boyfriend as their biological son.

She was arraigned before the circuit court and  remanded into police custody after the case was adjourned twice on July 20 and July 27 for further proceedings.

The court, which was presided over by Her Honour Diana Dzifa Amefinu, on Monday August 3, 2026, found her guilty and sentenced the mother of 7 to prison for 3 years with hard labour after she admitted to the charges leveled against her.