BABY DUMP NEWS, January 3, 2007—v7 #1
January 3, 2007 – 1:29 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
January 3, 2007–v7 #1
Distributed weekly by:
Marley Elizabeth Greiner, Executive Chair, Bastard Nation
Disclaimer: Some newspapers keep articles on 7-14 days (or less) free access and then forward them to paid archives. Please feel free to send articles and websites of interest to maddogmarley@worldnet.att.net
All links are tested just before sending.
READ: The Daily Bastardette, safe haven and adoption commentary,
http://bastardette.blogspot.com
ANNOUNCEMENT
Sally Howard, author of Finding Me in a Paper Bag, will appear on Speaking of Adoption, WSAR-AM 1480, Fall River, Massachusetts on January 9, 2:00-3:00 PM (est) http://www.neaspa.com/speaking_of_adoption/
***THIS WEEK***
NEW JERSEY–Newborn found alive in trash; mother arrested
NEW YORK–DeBeers lose appeal
UTAH–Baby left at L-d-S church
JAPAN–Okomoto trial “turns sordid”
….and more!
NO COMMENT:
I would have taken a polka-dotted child. I wanted a child so badly,
…Rhonda Ithlenburg, recepient of safe haven baby, Raleigh News-Observer, December 25, 2006
***STATES***
CALIFORNIA
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, December 28, 2006
Baby’s body found buried in Santa Maria trash
http://www.ksby.com/home/headlines/5032991.html
SANTA MARIA–Unnamed woman, 25, admits discarding newborn at apartment complex. Tells police baby was stillborn and left body in trash because in her culture that is what is done .Police received anonymous tip. Autopsy pending. Refers to other local abandonment cases. Picture.
Lompoc Record, December 29, 2006
Body of newborn found in Nipomo
http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2006/12/29/news/centralcoast/news06.txt
NIPOMO–After 2 day search newborn’s body found at trash collection site. Police say physical evidence found with body matches details of alleged mother’s statement, but decline to elaborate. No arrest made.
Santa Maria Times, December 30, 2006
Autopsy findings indicate missing baby a stillborn
http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2006/12/30/news/news02.txt
SANTA MARIA–Autopsy backs up allegation that baby was stillborn. Unnamed mother, described as Hispanic, 25, speaks little English, and very cooperative, may be charged with misdemeanor.
COLORADO
Grand Junction Sentinel, December 30, 2006
Death of baby, mother’s charges year’s No. 8 story
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/12/30/12_30_No__8_Cheyene_corbet.html
GRAND JUNCTION–Update on Cheyenne Corbett case. (BDN v6 # 31, 32, 33). Review of case named 8th most significant local story by local reporters. Corbett charged with 1st degree murder; hid body in home entertainment center. Currently out on $100,000 bond and scheduled for hearing in February 2007.
MASSACHUSETTS
Roslindale-West Roxbury Transcript, December 27, 2006
Miracles to murder: A look back at Roslindale this year
http://www.townonline.com/roslindale/homepage/8999325869558202367
ROSLINDALE–Update on Baby Jordan case (BDN v6 #41, 42, 43-44). Review of case; Jordan found in garbage can. Locals donated so much for his care that some was given to other children in need.
NEW JERSEY
Press of Atlantic City, December 28. 2006
Newborn found alive in trash
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/7054363p-6912316c.html
MAY’S LANDING–Simone Walker, 18, a student at Atlantic Cape Community College, charged with endangering welfare of child after she is accused of leaving hours-old infant in apartment complex trashbin. Baby discovered by elderly resident throwing out trash. Residents took baby to heated car and called police. Quotes from neighbors. Baby in fair condition. Susan Ferrier, founder of “awareness group” Baby Blue Foundation says, “We need to do more. It’s a matter of trying to get more information out to the public about the options these women have… Why would a woman make this choice or find this to be an option, whereas most mothers would never consider it. That’s what we need to find out.”
Press of Atlantic City, December 30, 2006
Too few known of Safe Haven, baby case shows
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/7058544p-6916341c.html
ATLANTIC CITY–Review of SH law and lament that “message hasn’t “gotten out.” 5 newborns abandoned in NJ this year; 2 locally; 10 SH cases. Simone Walker released from hospital and will be charged by end of day. Andy Williams, spokesperson for DYFS says broad promotion needed. “A lot of people assume it’s only a teenage pregnancy problem. We have found it’s really not. When we have information on the mother, we’ve found that both unsafe abandonments and Safe Havens tend to have a pretty wide range of ages, from teens to women in their late 30s who have other children at home. We kind of had to broaden the outreach.” Says state has cases where parent returned or relative identified, but most babies put up for adoption.
Cherry Hill Courier Post, December 31, 2006
Find a safe, warm place for unwanted newborns
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061231/OPINION/612310317/1046
CHERRY HILL–Editorial in support of SH.
CBS 3-TV, Philadelphia,, January 2, 2007
Details emerge in case of abandoned baby
http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_002172700.html
MAY’S LANDING–Simone Walker arrested; bond set at $100,000. “Michelle” described as Walker’s “distant friend” attended hearing. “She’s a good kid, she wasn’t really afraid to tell her mom, it was her brothers, what she thought her older brothers would think of her.” Picture.
NEW MEXICO
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 31, 2006
In search of a marrow donor
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=547584
MILWAUKEE–Update on Kailee Wells case (BDN v3 #8, 9, 11, 47; v4 # 3,5,7.9,11,13,15-16,18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 33, 51; v5 #4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12. 17, 35, 38, 40, 43. 44-45, 46-47, 50; v6 #1, 4, 8, 18, 19, 21, 33, 37, 49). MILWAUKEE–Article on local girl who needs bone marrow donor. Update on Kailee’s condition: Needs regular transfusions of platelets and red blood cells; next transplant should come within 10 days. Won’t need chemo.
NEW YORK
WAHM-TV,Rochester, December 28, 2006
Court rejects appeals of convicted baby killers
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=87BC8CCA-102A-45DC-A1C3-027A722D02E3
ALBANY–Update on Brian and Stacy DeBeers case. (BDN v4 # 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31, 39, 44, 51). State court rejects appeal of couple convicted of killing 2 newborns. Stacy serving 30 years to life for murder. Brian 7 years for helping her hide one of the murders. Pictures.
NORTH CAROLINA
Raleigh News-Observer, December 25, 2006
Adoption settles long quest for a family
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/525315.html
RALEIGH–Struggle of Andy and Rhonda Ithlenburg to make a family: failed prayer, infertility treatments and adoption plans. Compared to Joseph and Mary “in their quest for a family.” Finally get “Joseph,” a SH bi-racial baby from Ashville. “I would have taken a polka-dotted child. I wanted a child so badly,” says Rhonda. Didn’t have the $16,000 needed to adopt him so decided to foster in the meantime. Two weeks later, the Ihlenburgs arranged to pick up the baby from the adoption agency. The designated meeting point was the Burger King parking lot…” Nicked-named “Whopper, Jr.” 6 months later Andy diagnosed with throat cancer and undergoes chemo. Couple concerned they’ll lose Joseph since they’d not been able to save the funds needed to adopt him. Congregation at their church raises entire amount. Andy begins to recover from treatment. Picture.
HULIQ, Hickory, January 2, 2007
Safe Surrender an option for overwhelmed mothers
http://www.huliq.com/4383/safe-surrender-an-option-for-overwhelmed-mothers
RALEIGH–DHHS reminds public about SH. “Every year there are situations where babies are placed at risk because of a frightened and overwhelmed woman, usually a young woman, tries to hide her newborn baby. If she gives birth and panics, she need only find a responsible adult to take her child. However, it is essential that the baby be turned over to a responsible adult. It’s the person-to-person contact that’s the key.”
TEXAS
CBS 11-TV, Dallas/Fort Worth, January 2, 2007
Newborn baby found in Dallas dumpster
http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_365181732.html
DALLAS–Newborn boy found dead in apartment complex dumpster; police interview mother, but no arrest made. 100 babies a year abandoned in Texas (doesn’t specify age); Dallas fire officials say since 2004 5 SH fire station cases.
KLTV-TV, Tyler, January 2, 2007
Mother of dead infant says she was assaulted
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5882507&nav=1TjD
DALLAS–Still unnamed woman, 22, says she hid pregnancy because she’d been sexually assaulted. Family reports she locked herself in bathroom for more than an hour New Year’s Eve and then left with a plastic bag. Autopsy pending.
UTAH
ABC 4-TV, Salt Lake City, December 31, 2006
Baby with note found abandoned at LDS church
http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=e36aef85-29fd-493d-a8e6-0ac1e3cf8f64
SALT LAKE CITY–Newborn discovered at L-d-S church during birthday party. Note left with him says mother is scared and can’t take care of him. Picture.
KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, December 31, 2006
Police look for clues for baby abandoned at church building
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=767596&comments=true
SALT LAKE City–Lots of viewer comments on story
Salt Lake City Tribune, January 1, 2007
Police looking for info on mom
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_4931473
SALT LAKE CITY–Comments from Carol Sisco, spokesperson for Div. of Child and Family Services. “We would like to talk to the mom and part of that is that we would like to know if she’s OK, if she needs any help.” Because baby was left in church “penalties won’t automatically be pursued” say police.
KUTV-TV, Salt Lake City, January 2, 2007
Police release letter on abandoned newborn
http://kutv.com/local/local_story_002221223.html
SALT LAKE CITY–Mother’s note released to media: To whoever gets this. Please take my baby to somewhere where he can be adopted by a good family. I am very scared and have not told anyone about him. Please keep this confidential. I don’t now what else to do. I love him very much. Please do this for me. I want him to have a good life with parents who can care for him and love him as much as I do. Please.” Police don’t want to prosecute. Picture.
***INTERNATIONAL***
JAPAN
Mainichi Daily News, December 29, 2006
Accused multiple murderess pins it all on allegedly incestuous stepson
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai/face/news/20061229p2g00m0dm016000c.html
HIRATSUKA–Update on Chizuko Okamoto case (BDN v7 #19, 21). Trial turns sordid, “awash with tales of incest and unrequited famlial love.” Okamoto, 55, on trial for murder of 19-year old daughter but suspected of involvement in decades old deaths of another 3 sons including 2 infants. Blames stepson, Minehiro, found hanged in her apartment, Claims he molested her as she slept and committed suicide because of failed attempts to rape his sister. Pictures.
SOUTH AFRICA
iol.com, December 28, 2006
Mother arrested after newborn murdered
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=iol1167304174340B265
HLOHLOLWANE TWN–Woman, 36, arrested for allegedly suffocating newborn girl; 18 year old daughter witnessed incident and called police.
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