BABY DUMP NEWS, January 10, 2007–v7 #2
January 10, 2007 – 1:28 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
January 10, 2007–v7 #2
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
THANKS: Jim, Roberta, Jane
***THIS WEEK***
INDIANA–Newborn left outside clinic
MASSACHUSETTS–”Baby Safe Haven” Mighty Wurlitzer rattles on
NEW JERSEY–Cop’s wife pleads to reckless manslaughter
UTAH–Illegal abandonment twisted into SH surrender
INDIA–Body found in trash
…and more!
***NATIONAL***
Progressive U, January 5, 2007
Blog: Safe Haven laws
http://www.progressiveu.org/090935-safe-haven-laws
Discussion of SH laws; overview, history, and pros and cons. Quotes from EBD study.
CNN/Nancy Grace Show, January 9, 2007
15-year old Missouri boy disappears at school bus stop (scroll half-way down for SH story)
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/09/ng.01.html
Discussion on Massachusetts and Oregon cases (see below), including Mike Morrisey. Nancy Grace claims that “in some of these states where they have safe haven laws, the first thing they want to do ask you a bunch of questions about yourself when you try to drop the baby off.”
***STATES***
ARIZONA
KVOA-TV, Tucson, January 3, 2007
Judge refuses to toss case against pair accused of burying newborn
http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5884180&nav=HMO6
TUCSON–Update on Regina Lockwood/Nicholi Grimm case (BDN v5 #42, 46-47; v 6 24). Judge refuses to dismiss case; couple accused of burying woman’s newborn in Sept. 2005. Grimm is not the father. ME couldn’t determine if baby was stillborn or died after birth.
CALIFORNIA
Yucaipa/Calimesa News Mirror, January 3, 2007
Circle of Love touches attendees at Garden of Angels
http://www.newsmirror.net/articles/2007/01/04/news/07news.txt
YUCAIPA–Account of 11th annual “Circle of Love” ceremony at Garden of Angels cemetery. Christmas songs performed by locals, including Yucaipa High School Madrigals. Gilda and Doyle Tolbert, recently retired for LA Coroner’s office brought their grandchildren. Sandy Roth distributed Christmas ornaments with names of dead babies on them to hang on individual tombstones. Roth says each of the children had written the names on the ornaments and she wanted “them to appreciate the things they have.”
North Country Times, January 5, 2007
Fallbrook “life chain” to take place Jan. 21
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/01/06/news/inland/20_37_091_5_07.txt
FALLBROOK– Anti-abortion Life Chain event will feature Debi Faris-Cifelli from Garden of Angels as guest speaker.
My Mother Lode.com, January 5, 2007
Calaveras fire station becomes baby safe surrender site
http://www.mymotherlode.com/News/article/kvml/1168025044
MOUNTAIN RANCH–Central Calaveras Fire District Station #1 now drop-off site. As of October 162 SH cases in state.
CONNECTICUT
WTNH-TV, New Haven, January 5, 2007
Danbury teen charged in death of newborn baby
http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=5896533&nav=3YeX
DANBURY–Panna Krom 17, Danbury High School senior, under investigation for murder of newborn. Autopsy pending. Family attorney Vicki Hutchinson says Krom didn’t hide pregnancy, intended to have baby, but went into premature labor. Under suicide watch. Next court appearance delayed so translators can be made available for her Cambodian parents. Picture.
FLORIDA
Naples News, January 8, 2007
Editorial: safe havens
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/jan/08/editorial_safe_havens/?opinion
NAPLES–Naples fire station “certified” with “nationally recognized safety organization based in Miami.”
INDIANA
Indianapolis Star, January 7, 2007
Baby found outside Bloomington clinic
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070107/LOCAL/70107003
BLOOMINGTON–Newborn boy found outside medical clinic. Note said mother can’t take of him. Comments.
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, January 8, 2007
Abandoned newborn raises questions about “safe haven” law
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5909469&nav=9Tai
BLOOMINGTON–Police concerned about mother and have no serious interest in prosecuting her. Social worker says abandonment is troublesome, “This girl, by not taking the child in and physically giving it to somebody, may have left herself open to possible charges of abandonment, and in actual fact, she did the right thing.
WISH-TV, January 10, 2007
Several people inquire about adopting abandoned baby
http://www.wishtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5914296&nav=0Ra7
BLOOMINGTON–Several people interested in adopting baby who will be placed in foster home for now.
Lafayette Journal & Courier, January 10, 2007
Safe have[n] law: Give it exposure
http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070110/OPINION01/701100304
LAFAYETTE–Editorial in support of SH; proposes information campaigns
MASSACHUSETTS
Town Online, January 7, 2007
Mom of dead baby boy is identified
http://www.townonline.com/homepage/8999018023197081598
MILFORD–Unnamed woman, 27, identified as mother of newborn found in BFI trash truck on Saturday. Autopsy pending. Milford Board of Selectmen Brian Murray, says, “The sad irony of the whole situation is that it was completely unnecessary. If the parents wanted to not have the baby, they could have turned the infant over to any of these entities, without prosecution.” Picture.
Bostonist, January 7, 2007
Editorial: Safe Haven–Know it, live it
http://www.bostonist.com/archives/2007/01/07/safe_haven_know_it_live_it.php
BOSTON–Editorial reminder of SH. “The Safe Haven Law means that parents won’t be judged or punished if they can’t keep their children, and they can get their newborns to a safe place, which is a far better alternative than the newborns dying and winding up in the garbage.”
Milford Daily News, January 8, 2007
Milford official wants Baby Safe Haven Law better publicized
http://www.milforddailynews.com/homepage/8999015873985380351
MILFORD–Selectman Brian Murray wants more publicity for SH. Selectman Bill Buckley says he supports promotion but cautions against jumping to conclusions about current case. “It’s good to communicate Safe Haven, but it’s not clear until we get the medical examiner’s report that it could have done anything to help this particular baby.”
Worchester Telegram, January 8, 2007
Baby’s parents identified
http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070108/NEWS/701080570/0/FRONTPAGE
MILFORD–Parents turn themselves into police but remain unidentified. Baby Safe Haven New England (Mike and Jean Morrissey) calls for renewal of law up for sunset in 2008. Morriseys name baby Epiphany in honor of the Feast of the Epiphany on Jan. 6. Mike M says they named the baby because the mothers in more than 50% of cases aren’t located. MA laws used 4 times, the latest, Baby Iris, in Nov. was surrendered at a metro Boston hospital. 21 other women, according to Morrisey, have used BSH hotline for counseling into full-adoption or parenting programs.
Boston Globe, January 8, 2007
Dead infant’s parents turn themselves in
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/08/dead_infants_parents_turn_themselves_in/
MILFORD–Mother, 27, says she was moved to turn herself in by the kindness of a veteran detective who interviewed her. DSS asks police to arrange interview with family about status of any other children in the home. Picture.
Milford News, January 8, 2007
Mother of dead baby says it was stillborn
http://www.milforddailynews.com/homepage/8999017084763504636
MILFORD–Mother says baby was stillborn; police waiting for autopsy determination. Picture.
Boston Globe, January 8, 2007
Police chief: Milford woman accused of dumping baby gave birth unexpectedly
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/01/police_chief_mi_1.html
MILFORD–Milford Police Chief Thomas O’Loughlin, says that mother was not aware of how far along her pregnancy had advanced and gave birth unexpectedly. Longtime boyfriend with whom she lives with their 6-year old son was unaware of pregnancy and delivery.
Milford Daily News, January 10, 2007
DSS begins investigation into dead baby incident
http://www.milforddailynews.com/homepage/8999013720092835839
MILFORD–Police in holding pattern until autopsy results come in. DSS initiates investigation to “help” family
MINNESOTA
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, January 5, 2007
Man who found abandoned baby honored
http://wcco.com/local/local_story_003095801.html
ST. CLOUD–Update on Baby Grace case (BDN v6 #47, 48,49). Bob Klaverkamp, who discovered Baby Grace receives award from Sternes County Sheriff’s Dept. Picture.
NEW JERSEY
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 6, 2007
Millville officer’s wife admits to letting infant drown
BRIDGETON–Tina Marie Reynolds, 30, wife of Millville police officer Richard Reynolds, takes plea of reckless manslaughter. Admits she allowed newborn name Kaylee, to drown in bathtub where she gave birth. Has 2 other children, knew she was pregnant but had no prenatal care. Was reportedly under psychological treatment.
NEW YORK
New York Sun, January 19, 2007
Mother charged in infant’s death
http://www.nysun.com/article/46428
JACKSON HEIGHTS–Lucila Rojas, 25, confesses to tossing 3-week-old Anthony Rojas in trashbin on New Year’s Eve because he was dead. Initially told police baby had been kidnapped at gunpoint. Later said she abandoned him in the Bronx, then Queens. Police believe Rojas smothered baby with blanket on New Year’s Eve the day he was released from Jacobi Medical Center after premature birth. After dumping body in trash she went to parents who were unaware of her pregnancy and the birth. Charged with 2nd degree murder.
OREGON
KATU–TV, Portland, January 8, 2007
Baby found at Portland nursing home
PORTLAND–Newborn called Rose Hope (other stories say Delta Dawn), abandoned on nursing home doorstep. Despite hypothermia, baby is doing well. Rundown of OR law. Picture.
Portland Oregonian, January 9, 2007
Baby “fine” but still no parents
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1168314954165980.xml&coll=7
PORTLAND–Baby doing well and shows no ill effects from exposure. DHS granted temporary custody. Agency and police continue to look for parents. If found and ruled unfit, state will seek a relative and failing that foster placement and eventual adoption. Third abandonment case since OR law went into effect. Authorities unclear if leaving the baby at nursing home qualifies as SH
Oregonian, January 10, 2007
Editorial: Mother is gone, baby is safe
http://www.oregonlive.com/editorials/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1168392336164910.xml&coll=7
PORTLAND–Complains that a full investigation of case may discourage use of SH. “Such searches rarely end well, with babies happily reunited with mother or other relatives. And much, much worse a full investigation, complete with potential criminal charges and wall-to-wall media coverage can deter other distraught overwhelmed parents from leaving their infant in places where they can be properly cared for…All over the country, authorities have learned the hard way that it is better and safer for everyone involved not to criminalize the act of giving up a baby, if the child’s health and safety is protected.
RHODE ISLAND
WPRI-TV, Providence, January 9, 2007
Eyewitness news exclusive–Mother charged in infant death
http://www.eyewitnessnewstv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5911142&nav=F2DO
PROVIDENCE–Update on Julie Robat case (BDN v6 #45, 48). Robat, 31, charged with murder; cause of death determined to be asphyxia due to exposure and failure to provide or obtain basic neonatal resuscitation. Robat’s 2 sisters may have witnessed death; and took the 5th at hearing.
TEXAS
Dallas Morning News, December 25, 2006
Babies abandoned despite drop-off law
DALLAS– 2 recent newborns abandonments in Texas, one in a public restroom in Garland and the other on a car hood outside a hospital in Plano, “illustrates” that BML isn’t enough to “protect unwanted infants.” Only about 40 SHs in state since law went into effect. Texas CPS records show that more than 3,000 children were abandoned since SH law went into effect, but there is no age breakdown so it’s unknown how many were newborns. 4 years ago number of illegally abandoned newborns was 170. Geanie Morrison says BML needs more promotion; not discouraged by small number of cases. Article includes update on Garland Tovar case (BDN v6 #28): CPS hasn’t interviewed Grasiela Tovar, but Tovar’s mother has said she was unaware of her daughter’s pregnancy. Tovar’s 1- and 3-year old in custody of grandmother and newborn may be released to her custody when he leaves hospital. Alan Eliott, faculty member of UT Southwestern Medical School and founder of Baby Moses Dallas says most Dallas officials didn’t now about law until he promoted it; hospitals didn’t even know they were required by law to display stickers or posters telling parents they could drop off “unwanted babies.” Says it’s a good sign that some infants are at least dropped off near hospital entrances. Received call from Houston man who wanted to know if it was OK to drop off baby near fire station. Elliot told him it wasn’t, but called proper authorities to “rescue the baby who was found in good condition.” Dr. Geoffrey McKee, forensic psychologist and professor at U. of South Carolina says women don’t use law out of fear and shame. “It’s the fear of others reacting to the pregnancy, of the sexual activity that led to the pregnancy. Even among older women.” (NOTE this appears to be an update and slight re-write from an article published in Dallas Morning News, July 8, 2006).
KLTV-TV, Tyler, January 4, 2007
Mother of dead infant in trash bin arrested
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5888300&nav=1TjD
DALLAS–Update on trashbin case (BDN v7 #1). Liliana Viveros, 22, charged with tampering with physical evidence and a misdemeanor count of abuse of a corpse. Cause of death pending.
Bryan-College Station Eagle, January 6, 2007
Mom, soccer coach among 42 indictments
http://www.theeagle.com/stories/010607/local_20070106002.php
BRAZOS COUNTY–Update on Susan Chiniewicz case. (BDN v5 #41; v6 #15, 1, 17, 18) Chiniewicz indicted for capital murder of a person under 6; prosecutors don’t intend to pursue death penalty.
UTAH
Salt Lake City Tribune, January 3, 2007
WVXC police end search for mother of abandoned baby
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_4943471
SALT LAKE CITY–Update on L-d-S church case (BDN v7 #1). West Valley City police suspend search for mother who left baby in church over concern that investigation would discourage “future mothers” who ponder giving up their children Sen. Patrice Arent, sponsor of SH bill says parents who leave their children in a safe place to be cared for should be allowed to stay anonymous. Pursuing a parent could create a “chilling effect”. “The bottom line is we applaud her for making sure the baby was safe and the baby was important.”
Salt Lake Tribune, January 4, 2006
Letter: Protect safe-haven law
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_4952354
SALT LAKE CITY–Letter writer qustions if media broke SH law by covering baby left at L-d-S ward (note: not a legal SH-drop-off location). TV stations should be fined for reporting case.
Deseret Morning News, January 5, 2007
Editorial: Abandoning babies
(off server)
DESERET–Supports police decision to call off search for mother since she abandoned baby “in the spirit of the law”. Says it cautiously endorsed law and still does, but believes the needs of the mother are also important. “As difficult as to may seem, the criminal justice system may be exactly what this mother needs. Not in a punitive way but in the sense that a court could decide to assign the professional help she will need to cope with the issues surrounding her pregnancy and her decision to give up the child…somewhere out there is a woman who still has a host of unresolved issues and that is not good news.”
KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, January 6, 2007
Search for mother of abandoned baby discontinued
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=774626
SALT LAKE CITY–Lots of comments on case. (most of them ignorant).
Salt Lake Tribune, January 8, 2007
Editorial: Spirit of the law: Police are right to let baby’s mother go
http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_4973031
SALT LAKE CITY–”But the spirit of other law was kept by the mother, even if she didn’t know there was such a thing, and police decided they’d keep it, too. They not only announced that they would end their search for the mother, but requested that the news media back off and not publicize the note that was found with the child…But the more pressing concern is the welfare of the baby, who now has a chance at a good life in a loving adopted family.”
VIRGINIA
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, January 5, 2007
Teen gets five-year prison term for killing newborn baby
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/012007/01052007/0105baby
STAFFORD–Update on car baby/Brittany Robinson case (BDN v6 #15, 17, 46). Robinson, 16, sentenced to 20 years with all but 5 suspended. Robinson’s father said he’d noticed Brittany had gained weight, but she denied pregnancy. An older daughter, Heather, also denied her pregnancy, but gave birth later.
***INTERNATIONAL***
ENGLAND
Life Style Extra, January 9, 2007
Illegal cellotaped newborn’s face and hid body in freezer
LONDON–Patricia De Carvalho Braga, 23, mother of 3 other children, pleads guilty to battering newborn, taping its face, and putting it in freezer. Has history of depression
INDIA
Chennai online, January 5, 2007
Newborn’s body found in garbage bin
COLMBATORE–Body of newborn boy with throat slit found in trash; 2 days ago another newborn’s body found under bridge.
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