Mother Under Medical Care After Allegedly Drowning 10-Week-Old Baby in Manchester

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — A 20-year-old woman is currently receiving medical treatment after police say she allegedly drowned her two-month-old son in a bucket of water at a home in the Top Hill district on Tuesday, leaving residents in the quiet Manchester community stunned and grieving.

According to Acting Commander for the Manchester Police, Deputy Superintendent Luhas Daniels, the woman is enrolled in a mental health programme. He confirmed that she was alone with the infant at the time of the incident after the child’s father had left home earlier that morning to work in nearby farmland.

Investigators reported that the woman later contacted the child’s father and told him she had drowned the baby. Authorities were alerted soon after, and the woman was taken into the care of a mental health team before being transported to hospital for treatment.

Family members identified the infant as Mateo Forbes, who was born on December 21, 2025.

The baby’s paternal grandfather, Geoffrey Forbes, otherwise known as Leon, said the family was devastated by the tragic development.

“That was my grandson. I never even got the chance to see him since he was born,” the elderly man said, noting that the news quickly spread through the district and left residents shaken. According to him, the incident has brought deep sadness to the small community, where such an occurrence has never happened before.

Forbes explained that his son had spent time with the child earlier Tuesday morning before leaving for work.

“He bathed the baby before he left the house. Later she called him and said the baby was dead. At first he couldn’t believe it and tried to reach her again, but she didn’t answer,” the grandfather recounted.

A relative was eventually asked to check on the situation at the home. The family later learned that the infant had been found submerged in a container of water.

Residents said the tragedy has left the area in mourning, especially since the baby was the first child for both parents.

The grandfather also disclosed that the young woman had previously struggled with mental health challenges and had been receiving medical treatment.

He claimed there were earlier incidents that raised concerns, including a previous dispute involving the burning of his son’s house. Despite the difficulties, he said his son chose to continue the relationship.

Neighbours likewise expressed disbelief at the events.

Joan Thomas, who lives nearby, said the news left her deeply upset.

“I cried when I heard,” she said. “We never expected something like this. Just the night before they were talking about preparing for the baby’s christening later this month.”

Thomas added that from what residents observed, the mother appeared to be caring for the child, making the tragedy even more difficult for the community to understand.

Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death are ongoing