The baby girl’s father lodged a complaint against Sharoura General Hospital, alleging the infant’s head had been found sewn on after apparently being severed and that there were wounds and bruises on the body.

The governor has ordered the report to be submitted quickly after completion of the investigation. In addition, the Health Department in Najran has formed an probe committee. The Human Rights Commission is also monitoring the case, Al-Madinah daily reported on Thursday.

According to the petition filed by Saudi citizen Saleh Abdullah Al-Boraiki, he noticed something wrong with the body at the washing area for the dead at Aziziyah Mosque in Sharoura.

Upon closer examination, he was shocked to see the baby’s severed head had been stitched back on. Following his complaint, a forensic autopsy was carried out.

Lawyer Hadi Al-Yami, who is a member of the Human Rights Commission, was briefed on the progress of the ongoing investigation into the case when he paid a visit to Saleh Al-Mons, director general of the Health Department in Najran, on Wednesday.

Speaking to the newspaper, Saleh Ali Al-Daiba, director of media and public relations at the Health Department in Najran, said a committee comprising medical experts has been formed to hold the investigation as per the directive of Al-Mons.

“The committee started a thorough probe into the case immediately after its formation. The committee will release its findings once it completes the investigation,” Al-Mons said.

Al-Boraiki said he met with the committee members on Wednesday. “I also received a phone call from Al-Mons, who apologized for what had happened. He assured me that those who caused the error would be dealt with,” he said.

According to sources, the surgeon at Sharoura General Hospital severed the baby’s head after he experienced difficulties with vaginal delivery. He stitched the head of the baby back believing that nobody would detect his actions. Babies in a breech position (their legs are nearest to the birth canal) are usually delivered by Caesarean.

Commenting on the issue, Saleh Al-Dosaimani, director of the branch of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Najran, said the doctor would be sentenced to death if it was found that he severed the baby’s head intentionally. “If he committed it as an error, then he will be given a lighter punishment in addition to having to pay blood money to the baby’s relatives,” he said.