BABY DUMP NEWS, January 17, 2007–v7 #3
January 17, 2007 – 1:26 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
January 17, 2007–v7 #3
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: Pat
***THIS WEEK***
ALASKA and NEBRASKA–SH bills introduced again (see leg. below)
FLORIDA–Nicole Batiste sentenced to community service with A Safe Haven for Newborns
INDIANA–300 requests to adopt abandoned baby
TEXAS–Woman charged with capital murder
BRITISH COLUMBIA–Abandonment reunion
LEBANON–Convent has taken in abandoned babies for 150 years
…and more!
***NATIONAL***
CNN/Nancy Grace Show, January
Orlando Mother Puts Baby in Oven, Charged With Child Abuse (scroll down half-way)
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/10/ng.01.html
Grace calls for national SH law.
***STATES***
CALIFORNIA
Billings (MT) Gazette, January 10, 2007
West High graduate pleads not guilty in baby’s death
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/01/11/news/local/26-ashcraft.txt
LOS ANGELES–Update on Holly Ashcraft case ((BDN v5 #42, 44-45, 46-47; v6 #3. 7, 39, 40, 48)). Ashcraft pleads not guilty; remains free on $200,000 bond. Defense attorney Mark Geragos says she unexpectedly gave birth to stillborn” while in her apartment alone; didn’t now she was pregnant. (NOTE: Geragos has represented Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder, Nate Dogg, Scott Peterson, and Whitewater figure Susan McDougal ). Picture. Comments.
The Adobe Press, January 12, 2007
Abandoned baby was stillborn, autopsy says
http://www.theadobepress.com/articles/2007/01/05/news/news06.txt
SANTA MARIA–Update on Nipomo case (BDN v7 #1). Autopsy concludes baby was stillborn and had severe medical problems that could have prevented its survival. Mother, whose name has not been disclosed, may be charged with unlawful disposal of body. Police in no hurry to pursue case.
Tri-Valley Herald, January 12, 2007
Plea hearing delayed again in suffocation of newborn
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/ci_4991313
PLEASANTON–Update on Carmen Gil case (BDN v 6 #34, 35, 36, 38). Hearing postponed because defense hasn’t received all of the evidence in the case.
Redlands Daily Facts, January 14, 2007
“A strange case of child desertion in Redlands” in December 1904
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/ourtown/ci_5011631
REDLANDS—1st part of account of bizarre baby abandonment in Redlands in Dec. 1904. 2nd part to follow next week.
San Bernardino Sun, January 14, 2007
Baby found in Fontana is laid to rest
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_5011617
CALIMESA–Update on Fontana construction site case (BDN v6 #46-a). GOA holds funeral for baby, now known as Baby Christian; followed by “21-dove salute.” 77th child buried at cemetery. Includes GOA poem.
North County Times, January 15, 2007
Abandoned baby found in hospital bathroom
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/01/16/news/coastal/oceanside/11_18_431_15_07.txt
OCEANSIDE–Newfound found abandoned in Tri-City Medical Center restroom. No details. Picture.
CONNECTICUT
ABC 30-TV, Hartford, January 12, 2007
Judge denies lower bond for teen accused of killing newborn
http://www.nbc30.com/news/10735002/detail.html
DANBURY–Update on Panna Krom case (BDN v7 #2). Judge refuses to lower bond from $750,000 to under $100,000. Family concerned she is not getting competent medical treatment in jail.
FLORIDA
Saint Petersburg Times, January 10, 2007
The tragic choice of a young mother
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/01/10/Tampabay/The_tragic_choice_of_.shtml
SPRING HILL–Update on Nicole Batiste case (BDN v5 #43, 44-45, 46-47, 49). Review of case and background on Batiste. Admitted to friends she was pregnant but refused to take up offer of baby shower and gifts; denied pregnancy to boyfriend and his family. Told authorities later she didn’t want her ruin her boyfriend’s life. Attempted to get abortion but was too far along. Psychologist Andrea Corn, who works with SH and is an expert on children and families said, “It’s almost like she split off from the baby growing inside her body.”
NBC 2-TV, Fort Myers, January 11, 2007
Trashed newborn report a false alarm
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=10545&z=3&p
COLLIER COUNTY–Deputies call off search for dead newborn when tip proves false.
Orlando Sentinel, January 12, 2007
Fire officials appeal to moms of unwanted babies
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orl-bk-babyrule011207,0,5532469.story?coll=orl-news-headlines
ORLANDO–Orange County Fire Rescue issues SH appeal after rescuing infant in locked car. “Our goal is to eliminate children being abandoned in dangerous situation…Too often a mother is scared when faced with an unexpected baby. She can leave a child with personnel at any station anonymously.
St. Petersburg Times, January 14, 2007
A sad story’s end, “there’s help”
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/01/14/Hernando/At_sad_story_s_end___.shtml
BROOKSVILLE–Nicole Bastiste sentenced to 2 years of house arrest and 6 years probation; must fulfill 1000 hours of community service of which most will probably be with A Safe Haven for Newborns. SHN founder Nick Silverio contacted public defender proposing that Batiste tell her story in a SH “education and awareness” video targeted at middle schools, high schools, colleges, youth groups, and other community outreach programs. Parts could also be used in PSAs. Theresa Meloche, SH coordinator for Hernando, Pasco, and Citrus counties says she looks at case as “an educational opportunity.”
ILLINOIS
Chicago Daily Southtown. January 14, 2007
Homewood woman makes safe havens
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/209488,143NWS3.article
HOMEWOOD–Feature on Carey Frederick a volunteer for Save Abandoned Babies Foundation. Mission is to get all Southland communities to post SH signs in eligible locations. Foundation has also distributed SH info packet to all junior high and high schools in IL. “All you can do is let people know and hope they make the right choices.”
INDIANA
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, January 16, 2007
Hundreds look to adopt abandoned baby
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=5947245&nav=menu188_2
BLOOMINGTON–Update on Bloomington clinic case (BDN v7 #2). Monroe County welfare workers say they’ve received about 300 calls and emails from people who want to adopt baby. Police say they’re not interested in prosecuting case.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Herald, January 9, 2007
Letter: Baby isn’t trash
http://news.bostonherald.com/editorial/view.bg?articleid=176080
BOSTON–Update on Milford/Baby Epiphany case (BDN v7 #2). Short letter complaining about “negative consequences of sexual activity”: contraception abortion, abandonment. Abandoning mother should have other children removed from her; if she is judged incompetent she should be institutionalized and “prevented from procreating again.”
Hopkinton Flyer, January 12, 2007
A sad situation
http://www.townonline.com/hopkinton/opinion/8999008446393090047
HOPKINTON–Commentary on Milford/Baby Epiphany case by Karen Gibson. Even though mother of baby claims it was stillborn, Gibson says only options are adoption or SH. “It is an act of cowardice to get rid of a helpless baby, even if the child was stillborn, as the mother claims.”
Quincy Patriot Ledger, January 17, 2007
Our View: Renew the safe haven law
http://www.patriotledger.com/articles/2007/01/17/opinion/opin01.txt
QUINCY–Editorial supporting renewal of SH. Points to Milford case, though discarded baby may have been stillborn. “The only vocal opposition to the new law came from some adoption-rights advocates, who said legalizing baby abandonment makes it nearly impossible for adoptees to learn their identities of their birthparents. That may be true, but saving the lives of innocent newborns should come first.” Claims 4 SH cases in state since law went into effect.
NEBRASKA
KOLN-TV, January
Bill proposes Safe Place for Newborns
http://www.kolnkgin.com/news/headlines/5127741.html
LINCOLN–Sen. Arnie Stuthman introduces LB 157 to create SH program. “I think it’s well worth it, and I think it’s something that really takes liability off a lot of people. The ones giving up the baby, and accepting the baby.” Mark Ellis from U. of Nebraska-Lincoln questions law saying that states which have SH report a mixed message. “They do see that it says to parents on the one hand that we want you to be good parents, but if you want to get rid of your child, here’s a safe place to do it.” NE’s few abandonment cases cited. (see below for legislative info)
NEW JERSEY
Press of Atlantic City, January 12, 2007
Authorities say mom checked out trash bin before dumping baby
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/story/7107866p-6964421c.html
MAYS LANDING–Update on Simone Walker case. (BDN v7 #1). Investigators say Walker scoped out trash bin at her apartment building the day before she gave birth; following day placed newborn in bin. Bail reduced to $50,000 cash or bond. Walker has no prior arrests, is an “exemplary” full-time student at Atlantic Cape Community College, a full-time employee at Macy’s and has strong family ties to the community Professor writes letter to court describing her as “exceptional student”
NEW YORK
NY 1- News, New York City, January 11, 2007
Mother held without bail for murdering newborn
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=65786
BRONX–Update on Lucila Rojas case (BDN v7 #2). Rojas held without bond. Tells police baby was conceived through rape in Mexico; admits putting blanket over child’s face saying “now the baby will sleep forever.” PA landfill being searched for body.
Queens Tribune, January 12, 2007
Mother came to boro to ditch newborn: DA
http://www.queenstribune.com/news/1168587364.html
QUEENS–Queens residents wonder why Lucila Rojas chose their area to leave baby’s body. Picture.
New York Times, January 13, 2007
Safe-Haven laws fail to end discarding of babies
NEW YORK CITY–Balanced feature on use of SH in NYS. 6 newborns found abandoned in NYC, twice as many as preceding year according to AMT-COH’s Tim Jaccard. Doesn’t include Lucila Rojas case. Criticizes lack of abandonment tracking nationwide. “The intention of the law was not to track the number of children who were abandoned,” says Dem. Assemblywoman Joan Christensen, a lead sponsor of state’s SH bill. “It was to get the baby into a safe haven and keep the mother from being criminally prosecuted. Jaccard says effectiveness diminished due to insufficient funding. According to Jaccard, AMT-COH is responsible for 82 “safe abandonments” and 101 adoptions since 1998. “Girls committing neonaticide are generally petrified about the idea of anybody finding out they were pregnant. They’re pretty bad at planning. Even if you’re a good planner, if you’ve just delivered a baby yourself in the bathroom, with pain, blood loss and lots of terror, you’re not in the best shape to hop on a bus to drop the baby off,” says Micelle Oberman, co-author of Mothers Who Kill and professor of law at Santa Clara University. “It isn’t clear whether every baby that’s been turned in would’ve been killed,” says Carol Sanger, family law professor at Columbia. Adam Pertman from the Donaldson Institute complains about lack of family information child and adoptive parents can get through anonymous abandonment.
Gothhamist, January 13, 2007
Safe Haven laws questioned
http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2007/01/13/safe_haven_laws.php
NEW YORK CITY–Commentary on NYT article (above).
OREGON
KGW-TV, Portland, January 9, 2007
Ore. granted custody of abandoned baby, who could be put [sic] for adoption
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_010907_news_abandoned_baby_state_custody.227d6c1d.html#
PORTLAND–Update on Baby Rose Hope/Delta Dawn case. (BDN v7 #2). Court grants DHS custody; orders agency and police to search for parents. If found but ruled unfit, state will seek relative.
KGW-TV, Portland, January 12, 2007
Reward offered in abandoned baby case
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_011207_news_baby_reward.33e7b193.html
PORTLAND–Crime Stoppers offers $1000 reward for information leading to mother.
TEXAS
Dallas Morning News, January 13, 2007
Infant’s mother charged
DALLAS–Update on Liliana Viveros case (BDN v7 #1, 2). Viveros, 23, charged with capital murder. Coroner determines death of newborn caused by “homicidal violence;” baby suffered blunt force trauma and may have been suffocated. Prosecutor says it’s too early to determine if death penalty will be pursued. Viveros says she hid pregnancy because she was embarrassed she’d been sexually assaulted.
***CANADA***
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Vancouver Sun, January 16, 2007
2-day old infant was abandoned
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=7902957c-f18f-4974-8a83-4f2f37726c1f
NEW WESTMINSTER—-Thomas Pearson, now 28, reunited with Remo Pastro then 10, and Walter Fabian, then 11, who discovered him as 2-day abandoned baby in 1978. Pastro and Fabian receive belated commendation from New Westminster Police Board
***INTERNATIONAL***
LEBANON
Beirut Daily Star, January 10, 2007
Nuns give abandoned babies second chance in life
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_ID=1&article_ID=78382&categ_id=1
BEIRUT–History of treatment of anonymously abandoned babies and their parents from mid-1800s to present focusing on the Azaaiyeh Convent in downtown Beirut. Today very few babies are left. “Nowadays, Lebanese are constantly demanding babies for adoption, but we just don’t have any anyone. Not a single baby was abandoned during the recent war with Israel,” said Sister Josephe. ..”.We were very surprised, especially because many people came to ask about adoption, but I think mothers just did not want to let go of their children.” Those abandoned at convent today are usually black, Sri-Lankan, mixed race, or disabled; 2-year waiting list.
NEPAL
Oh My News International, January 14, 2007
Childless woman rescues baby from death
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=339946&rel_no=1
KARMANA–Sakira Seikh 23, finds newborn nearly half-dead, and half buried in corner of field. She and husband had no children after 8 years of marriage and are now raising baby; even mother-in-law approves. Plans to buy cow but for time being will ask for milk from neighbors.
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