BABY DUMP NEWS – February 14, 2007–v7 #7
February 15, 2007 – 1:21 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
February 15, 2007–v7 #7
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
February 9. 2007: North Carolina: Safe Haven “It Can’t Get Any Worse” File
February 9, 3002: Safe Havens, Abortion, hypocrisy, and New Hampshire’s Parental Notification Law
Thanks: Jane
***NO COMMENT***
The sad truth may be that young mothers who would abandon their newborns may be so frightened, so self-centered or so uncaring that the law has no appeal for them. Circumstances or past history might extinguish the eternal flame of maternal love in some women.
…editorial, Wilson Daily Times, Wilson, NC, February 14, 2007
***THIS WEEK***
CALIFORNIA–2-fer in LA County
FLORIDA–Baby found in bushes
MASSACHUSETTS–Columnist complains baby dump investigation takes too long
OREGON–Softball great Eddie Feigner dies; was abandoned as newborn, later reunited with mom
VIRGINIA–No body; no case?
CANADA–”Extreme despair” led to abandonment
MALAYSIA–Abandoned babies’ dads should be prosecuted
…and more!
***CONFERENCES***
Capital University, Center for Adoption Law and Policy, Wells Conference, February 15, 2007:
No Parent Left Behind: Adoption and Fathers; Rights
Panel 1: “Safe Haven” Laws: Safe Haven Laws: Where are the Daddies? Prof. Jeffrey Parness, Northern Illinois School of Law; Commenter: Adam Pertman, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
https://culsnet.law.capital.edu/LawReview/Wells/
***STATES***
CALIFORNIA
Orange County Register, February 12, 2007
A local kindergarten reaches out through Project Cuddle
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/local/communities/rsm/article_1577568.php
LONG BEACH–Profile of Project Cuddle volunteer, teacher Manisha Fish. “A lot of times our birth mothers keep their children but they just need that extra guidance, so we’re they’re if they call us.”
USC Daily Trojan, February 12, 2007
Experts say Ashcraft baby may have been dead at birth
LOS ANGELES–Update on Holly Ashcraft case (BDN v5 #42, 44-45, 46-47; v6 #3. 7, 39, 40, 48; v7 #3, 6). Defense motion and medical experts claim baby was born dead. Dr. Joan E. Hodgman, professor of pediatrics in Keck School of Medicine, with 40 years of experience examining newborn deaths, calls case a “miscarriage of justice….My opinion is clear that the murder of the infant on the part of the mother is unlikely and in no way proven by the evidence provided,” though she admits baby could have been smothered. Baby would have had excellent chance of survival if born in hospital. Dr. Paul H K Wu, emeritus proof. of pediatrics at Keck agrees that evidence of live birth is weak. Both agree that Ashcraft had to be aware of pregnancy.
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, February 14, 2007
Newborn girl second baby to be safely surrendered in week
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/11004916/detail.html
LOS ANGELES–Newborn girl , surrendered at Glendale Memorial Hospital, 2nd LA County SH in week. Another left at Downey Regional Medical Center. 4th SH this year in county; 51 since program started.
COLORADO
Bulldog Blog, February 8, 2007
What’s up with that Addie Kubisiak?
http://denver.yourhub.com/Parker/Blogs/Life/My-Life/Mixed-Bag/Blog~180783.aspx
GRAND JUNCTION–Update on Addie Kubisiak case (BDN v7 #6.) Blogger Meagan Savage: “I don’t know what kind of embarrassment she went through in school. But that’s nothing compared to the reaction and embarrassment that will come from a first-degree murder charge and a lifetime sentence in jail.”
FLORIDA
Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel, February 9, 2007
Dade water worker finds baby abandoned under busy in backyard
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/miami/sfl-29abandonedbaby,0,784507.story?coll=sfla-news-miami
BUENA VISTA–Water dept. worker finds newborn abandoned under backyard bushes . Police follow bloody trial and locate 16-year old mother show says she panicked and hid baby in neighbor’s yard.
Tampa Bay News 9, Tampa, February 8, 2007
Medical examiner: baby died from neglect
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/2/8/222189.html
LARGO–Update on Robin Farley case (BDN v6 #38). Pinellas County ME says newborn found dead in cabinet was alive when born; died from neglect. Coke and meth found in body. Farley out on $10,000 bond. Picture.
Palm Beach Post, February 11, 2007
Why ID woman who found baby?
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2007/02/11/a2e_lpcol_0211.html
WEST PALM BEACH–Update on mummified baby case (BDN v7 #4, 6). After paper received complaints, PBP Ombudsman explains why woman who found body was identified “…news is reported not for the subjects in the articles but the readers of the articles. A corollary of that in this case is that someone recognized a name or circumstance might help investigators solve the mystery of the baby.
MASSACHUSETTS
Milford Daily News, February 11, 2007
Mazzaglia: Baby’s death burrows into our conscience
http://www.milforddailynews.com/opinion/8998941000005058556
MILFORD–Update on Milford/Baby Epiphany case (BDN v7, #2, 3). Commentary by Frank Mazzaglia complaining about slowness of investigation. People have a right to know what happened; if baby was killed or stillborn.
NEW YORK
Newsday, February 7, 2007
Mother charged with murder after leaving dead newborn in trash
WATERTOWN–Update on Andrea Kline case (BDN v7 #6). Kline charged with 2nd degree murder after autopsy showed infant died from blunt force trauma to the head. Held without bond.
WLMS-TV, Lansing (MI), February 9, 2007
Bail sent for Michigan mother charged with murder
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=6060762&nav=0RbQ
WATERTOWN–Kline’s charge upgraded to 2nd decree murder; bail set at $250,000. Defense lawyer says Kline didn’t intentionally kill baby; injuries occurred when she tried to pull baby out of birth canal.
New York Daily News, February 13, 2007
Getting word out to save babies’ lives
http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/story/496912p-418828c.html
BRONX–Too many Bronx babies end up “little angels in Heaven.” In last 6 months 7 infants, including 3 in the Bronx have died–all mothers were young or immigrants. Health providers can’t figure out why SH isn’t used. Bronx Healthlink developing multilingual SH fliers for immigrant communities. Victoria Pena, program dir. at Manhattan’s New York Foundling Crisis Nursery which offers care for abandoned babies says half her clients are from the Bronx; unsure why number is so high. “We want to understand what are their real issues that are promoting the current crisis.” The goal is to keep families together; but center will take babies no questions asked.
NORTH CAROLINA
eMax Health.co /Parenting Magazine, February 9, 2007
Safe Surrender an option for overwhelmed mothers
http://www.emaxhealth.com/20/9483.html
Commentary in support of SH. NC DHS reminds public of SH law. “Every year there are situations where babies are placed at risk because a frightened and overwhelmed woman, unusually a young woman. tries to hide her newborn baby,” says Sherry Bradsher, dir. of NC Div. of Social services. “A child’s safety cannot always be guaranteed leaving it in what most people would consider to be a safe place, such as a church, because there may not be a staff person or employee present. Before the birth, however, county departments of social services and private adoption agencies can help a woman prepare for the birth and arrange for a safe adoption.”
WWRAL-TV, Raleigh, February 8,2007
Officials; More education needed on Safe Surrender law
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1197636/
FAYETTEVILLE–Social workers complain that not enough women know about the law, or they aren’t using it. Regina Wesley, social worker with Cumberland County Health Dept. says she and other social workers counsel every woman who comes in for a pregnancy test on SH. Comments. See The Daily Bastardette for commentary on this story.
WWAY-TV, Wilmington, February 9, 2007
DSS: Infant’s death was preventable
http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/260
WARSAW–Update on empty house case (BDN v7 #6). SH reminder. Lots of comments.
Goldsboro News-Argus, February 11, 2007
Officers look for baby’s parents
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2007/02/11/officers_look_for_babys_parents/index.shtml
WARSAW–Review of case and law. Baby was either white of Hispanic; no cause of death released, but physical abuse not suspected. “Mothers can take comfort in knowing there are several agencies they can turn to because they are open 24 hours a day including hospitals, police, fire, or Emergency Medical Services stations.” EMS workers in Warsaw case offered counseling on anon basis.
Wilson Daily Times, February 13, 2007
Moms can surrender newborns
http://www.wilsondaily.com/Wil_region/Local_News/303048269134259.php
WILSON–Last week’s NC deaths could have been prevented if mother knew about SH. State doesn’t keep track of SH cases, but estimates that an average of 2 newborns are killed or left unprotected to die each year.
Wilson Daily Times, February 14, 2007
Editorial: Safe Surrender Law misses goal
http://www.wilsondaily.com/Opinion/Editorials/304002263724434.php
WILSON–Editorial in support of SH. Complains that no newborns have been SH in Wilson County; 2 in state have died in past month. Wants more promotion of law. “The sad truth may be that young mothers who would abandon their newborns may be so frightened, so self-centered or so uncaring that the law has no appeal for them. Circumstances or past history might extinguish the eternal flame of maternal love in some women. While some women spend small fortunes in fertility treatment for the opportunity to have a child, others despise the thought of childbirth and baby care.
OREGON
Portland Oregonian, February 11, 2007
Canzano: Baby Eddie abandoned at hospital
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports/1171167946308780.xml&coll=7
PORTLAND–Sportswriter John Canzano recalls interview nearly a year ago with softball legend Eddie Feigner, 80, who died last week, in which the ball player discussed his abandonment at birth and adoption.19-year old When doctor took him way from his unmarried 19-year old mother, Naomi, she chased him through the snow barefoot. Baby left on steps of hospital in Walla Walla, WA with unsigned note. Nurses gave him to Mary King whose own baby had just died and she passed him off as hers. Eddie had unhappy childhood and was eventually reunited with Naomi. “But it’s the story of Feigner’s childhood, and his quest to find his biological mother, that always leaves me on the edge of my seat. Every time I see a single mother . Every time I hear people talking about stigmas. Every time I think about how a kid used his athletic talent to escape his own pain, and put so many smiles on the faces of so many others, I think about Feigner. And I think about what he must have thought about seeing all those happy families together.”
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston Post and Courier, February 11, 2007
Author helps explain why mothers kill
CHARLESTON–Feature on new book by Geoffrey McKee, psychologist and clinical prof. in Dept. of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at USC School of Medicine. Will visit Charleston to promote new book Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist’s Casebook.
SOUTH DAKOTA
KTIV-TV, Sioux City (IA) February 9, 2007
Alcester, South Dakota resident remembers “Baby Moses
http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=10032
ALCESTER–Update on Lori Schultz/Paul Lundberg case (BDN v4 #11, 12, 13, 15-16, 22; v5 #2, 11, 21, 22, 43, 46-47, 51; v6 # 2, 6, 11, 43-44, 50. v7 #6). Feature on state’s SH law and quotes from Becky Peterson, whose son is the age the Schultz-Lundberg baby would be had he lived.
VIRGINIA
Rocktown Weekly, January 14, 2007
Baby-dumping probe: No body, maybe no case
http://www.rocktownweekly.com/news_details.php?AID=8749&CHID=1
HARRISONBURG–Rockingham County landfill case (BDN v7 #5, 6). Authorities face uphill battle to bring felony charges against woman they suspect threw newborn in trash, since no can located body. Although suspect confessed, state law prevents defendants from being found guilty solely on their confession. Jan LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America agrees that prosecution will be difficult without body and cause of death; says due to threat of double jeopardy, police shouldn’t bring lesser charge such as wrongful disposal of a body until they can rule out more serious felony charge. Comments.
***CANADA***
SASKATCHEWAN
Halifax Chronicle-Herald, February 7, 2007
Police: Teen who abandoned infant “comes from a difficult background”
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/557732.html
SASKATOON–Update on Saskatoon doorstep case (BDN v7 #6). Extreme despair and confusion led 18-year old unnamed mother leave baby on doorstep. Turned herself into police on Sat. Police say she’s attending school, isn’t close to her family, comes from “a difficult background.” Mother says she chose house because lights were on and a dog parked as she approached; comfortable that somebody would come to the door and find the baby quickly. No decision on charges.
Toronto Globe & Mail, February 7, 2007
Scared student gave birth alone, then abandoned baby
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070207.BABY07/TPStory/National
SASKATOON–More details of case. Mother says she was prompted to contact authorities in response to local and national media reports that police wanted to hear her story and were concerned about her well-being. Came forward with help of friend who called investigators; picked up at home, treated at local hospital and questioned.
Ottawa Citizen, February 8, 2007
Calls flood in to adopt abandoned baby
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=91c5612a-00e6-4f2c-a6a6-06862258676a&k=59731
SASKATOON–Many people call about adopting baby; Saskatchewan Adoption Program warns that procedures are in place and compassionate phone calls and personal preference won’t jump the line. Picture.
Saskatoon Star Phoenix, February 9, 2007
Adoption offers misplaced in abandoned baby case
SASKATOON- Numerous offers from around Canada to adopt received. If baby is placed for adoption she will go to one of approx. 200 families who have already been approved for adoption. Reminder that few healthy newborns are available for adoption
Saskatoon Star Phoenix, February 9, 2007
Isolated mother needs support
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=f9ecd902-21d3-4969-9fe1-93e07eab0730
SASKATOON–Feature by radio talk show host John Gormely discussing appearance of Tim Jaccard from AMT-COH. on his show and the Saskatoon case. “Maybe two lives can emerge better from this (Saskatoon case) with enough support and compassion.”
Mobile Register (AL), February 9, 2007
Canadian media interview Tyson
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1171017175220290.xml&coll=3
MOBILE–Mobile County DA John Tyson interviewed by several Canadian media outlets and SH.
***INTERNATIONAL***
ENGLAND
BBC News, February 12, 2007
No charges brought over dead baby
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6354565.stm
ST. AUSTELL–Update on Baby Louise case (BDN v2 #49; v6 #29). No criminal charges will be brought. No details. Picture.
IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph, February 13, 2007
“Mother” gives evidence at inquest into 1973 baby death
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/ireland/article2265987.ece
DUBLIN–Update on Baby “Niamh” case (BDN v5 #27, 28, 29, 37, v6 #6). Cynthia Owens, who claims to be mother of infant found dead in 1973 gives evidence at inquest. Claimed baby was stabbed with knitting needle; post mortem reveals death was caused by puncture wounds to the face, neck, and chest.
KOREA
The Korea Times, February 13, 2007
French police inspect infanticide scene
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200702/kt2007021318322111990.htm
SEOUL–Update on Louis and Veronique Courjault case (BDN #6 #31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 42, 43-44). French investigators visit site of alleged murders; will take bodies of dead infants to France next week. Veronique Courjault remains in French jail. Picture.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia Star, February 11, 2007
Dads just as liable for baby-dumping
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/11/nation/16849848&sec=nation
KOTA KINBALU–The Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry wants fathers of abandoned babies to be criminally prosecuted. Government approves allocation for construction of center for pregnant women,. “Every constituency should have its own centre so that activities beneficial to women and their families could be carried out efficiently,” says minister Datuk Seri Shahizat.
NIGERIA
Osun Defender, February 13, 2007
Mother of abandoned baby held
http://www.osundefender.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=153&Itemid=41
ILE-IFE–Out of guilt, Bummi Adekemi, 21, turns herself in for abandoning baby. Became pregnant by a “popular wristwatch repairer,” who rejected her. Would like to see baby, but says she would not seek custody since she finds it difficult “to have three square meals.”
RUSSIA
BBC News, February 7. 2007
Russia’s unwanted babies in hospital limbo
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6335201.stm
EKATERINBERG–Long feature on condition of orphan baby wards in Russian hospitals. Staff over-worked and underpaid; can’t take care of babies fulltime. About 730,000 Russian children growing up without biological parents but only 10% are true orphans. About 75$ grow up in families through guardianship, foster care, patronage or adoption. Focus on Olga Bizimova, 27, a volunteer at Baby Hospital No.15 and how she cares for abandoned babies. Comments.
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