BABY DUMP NEWS, February 28. 2007–Vol. 7; #9
February 28, 2007 – 1:18 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
February 28, 2007–v7 #9
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.
THANKS: Ron, Sue, Roberta
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
The next issue of BDN will be off-schedule due to the American Adoption Congress Conference in Boston
READ: The Daily Bastardette, safe haven and adoption commentary, http://bastardette.blogspot.com
February 24, 2007: It’s Baaackkkk!!!!!! California pols attempt to extend safe haven again
February 28, 2007: Massachusetts thought police: Disinformation rampant!
***THIS WEEK***
ALABAMA–Bridget Lee, charged with capital murder, says she intend to place baby for adoption
CALIFORNIA–Toricco reintroduces SH expansion bill
KENTUCKY–Shoe box baby left on doorstep
TEXAS–Abandoned baby born without functioning brain dies
SASKATCHEWAN–Mom gets help, not jail
JAPAN–Government opposes “baby hatch” ‘but can’t find law to stop it
…and more!
***STATES***
ALABAMA
Tuscaloosa News, February 21, 2007
Judge sends newborn death case to grand jury
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070221/TL01/70221002
CARROLLTON–Update on Bridget Lee case (BDN v7 #8). Fayette County district judge sends capital murder case to grand jury. Lee contends baby was stillborn and she intended to place it for adoption. Bail denied due to capital murder charge. Picture.
Montgomery Advertiser, February 23, 2007
Former church pianist accused of killing infant
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070223/NEWS02/702230321/1009
CARROLLTON–More on Bridget Lee case. Officers testify that Lee said she’d gotten pregnant through an extramarital affair and “just wanted it all to go away” but denied killing child. Later said the baby’s mouth and arm moved after he was born. Never received prenatal care. Says she tried to get abortion but was denied procedure because she was too far along. “I just wanted to go back in time and take the affair back because whether or not my marriage was on the rocks, I still shouldn’t have had an affair… I just wanted God to forgive me for what I had done and go back to the life I had with my husband and my two beautiful children when I was happy.”
CALIFORNIA
Santa Clarita Signal, February 22, 2007
Hearing in newborn’s death postponed after an appearance before a judge
http://www.the-signal.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=46582&format=html
SANTA CLARITA–Update on Jacquelin Linaras case (BDN v6 #19, 21, 22, 24, 24A, 50; v7 #5). Prelim postponed to Mar. 6. Remains in jail on $1 million bond.
San Francisco Chronicle, February 24, 2007
Woman who allegedly abandoned newborn arrested
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/24/BAGQ3OAM0E37.DTL
SAN FRANCISCO–Kalita Thomas charged with attempted murder and child endangerment after leaving newborn boy inside comforter-type bag in bushes near Bella Vista apartment complex where she lives with her mother. Thomas has 2 other children. Held on $600,000 bond. 182 infant SH’d and another 146 abandoned alive since SH went into effect.
Alameda Times-Star, February 24, 2007
Legislation reintroduced on surrender of newborns
http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_5296966
SACRAMENTO–Alberto Torrico reintroduces legislation to expand SH timeframe; last bill was vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger. (See “Legislation” below for link to bill)
San Francisco Chronicle, February 25, 2007
Attempted murder arrest in case of abandoned newborn
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/25/BAGSGOATQS1.DTL
RICHMOND–Police say Kalita Thomas “implicated herself” in abandonment. Hid pregnancy and told authorities she didn’t want any more children. Quotes 2005 SH report from state saying that parents between the ages of 15-42, have SH’d their babies, “despite the popular belief before implementation (of the law) that mothers in their early teens would be most likely to take advantage of the law.”
Auburn Journal, February 25, 2007
Placer Hills fire station added to list of Safe Surrender sites
http://www.auburnjournal.com/articles/2007/02/26/news/top_stories/03safe26.txt
PLACER HILLS–Placer Hills Fire Protection District’s Meadow Vista fire station designated as SH drop, falling in line with policy to add staffed facilities.
CBS 5-TV, San Francisco
Richmond mom accused of abandoning baby arraigned
http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_058143640.html
RICHMOND–Review of case. DSS has no record of how many SH babies have been returned to parents.
Emedia Press Release, February 27, 2007
Gatekeeper Systems embraces Project Cuddle
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2007/2/emw508015.htm
IRVINE–Gatekeeper Systems donates funds to enable Project Cuddle to retain grantwriter to help raise additional money through foundations and government agencies.
Sam Jose Mercury News, February 27, 2007
Richmond woman in court in baby abandonment case
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/breaking_news/16796675.htm
RICHMOND–Kalita Thomas charged; bail lowered from $600,000 to $50,000. Police say she didn’t want baby and was unaware of SH.
COLORADO
Grand Junction Sentinel, February 21, 2007
Teen enters plea of not guilty in death of newborn
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2007/02/21/2_21_1b_Corbett_plea.html
GRAND JUNCTION–Update on Cheyenne Corbett case (BDN v6 # 31, 32, 33; v7 #1). Corbett, now 18, enters plea of not guilty to 1st degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. Investigators say she gave birth in shower, wrapped baby in towel, and placed her in an entertainment center in her bedroom. Corbett told police she knew she was pregnant; friends encouraged her to tell parents. Father she did not live with suspected she was pregnant and took her to doctor, but Corbett asked that he be removed from doctor’s office; signed privacy forms preventing doctor form discussing details of visits with anyone. Case prompted prosecutors, social workers and high school students to coordinate SH public service campaign.
KENTUCKY
WBKO-TV, Bowling Gree, February 27, 2007
Baby abandoned on doorstep, Bowling Green,
http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/6092476.html
BOWLING GREEN–Children find newborn boy in shoebox on doorstep of empty apartment duplex
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green, February 27, 2007
Baby found in shoe box update
http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/6120821.html
BOWLING GREEN–No leads, but DNA taken from baby for future testing. BGPD victim advocate reminds public of SH. Picture.
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green, February 28, 2007
No answers in Baby John Doe case
http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/6172896.html
BOWLING GREEN–TV broadcasts brings in possible leads. Simpson County Sheriff’s Dept and Integra Bank establish “John Doe” fund. Picture.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston.com, February 26. 2007
Baby Safe Haven law
BOSTON–Morriseys get air time; discuss recent SH.
Boston Globe, February 28, 2007
Newborn is surrendered to officials
BOSTON–5th SH reported. Baby Sylvia’s mother, a teenager in eastern Mass. reportedly contacted Baby Safe Haven hotline less than a week before birth and was told how to dump legally.
MINNESOTA
St. Cloud Times, February 24, 2007
Baby Grace can be adopted
http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070224/NEWS01/102230050/1009
ST. CLOUD–Update on Baby Grace case (BDN v6 #47, 48,49; v7 #2). Judge terminates parental rights of Grace’s unknown parents making her eligible for adoption. Picture. Comments.
Westchester Journal News, February 22, 2007
Westchester steps up “Safe Haven” training, information campaign
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070222/NEWS02/702220379
WESTCHESTER COUNTY–Review of new SH training. Tim Jaccard from AMT-COH will lead training session tonight. County’s Office for Women sponsored Oct. training conference for police from 36 cities and towns at Manhattanville College, and County Attorney’s Office trained pediatricians, social workers, and emergency staff at St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers last month. Another section set for March 8 at Westchester Medical Center. Dept. of Public Safety now requires police to accept newborns if approached.
NORTH CAROLINA
Sampson Independent, February 22, 2007
Funeral planned for newborn found dead on porch
http://www.clintonnc.com/articles/2007/02/23/news/top_stories/topstory69.txt
WARSAW–Update on empty house case (BDN v7 #7). Police say cause of death was likely exposure to cold weather; believe whoever left baby at house thought it was occupied. Funeral, donated by Quinn-McGowan Funeral Home, will be held on Feb. 26. Public invited.
Rocky Mount Telegram, February 22, 2007
Burial set for baby found in dumpster
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/local/content/news/stories/2007/02/22/baby.html
ROCKY MOUNT–Update on Food Lion case (BDN v7 #6). Funeral for newborn found in dumpster at Food Lion will be held Friday in Nashville. Paid in part by Nash County Dept. of Social Services; fundraiser scheduled to cover remainder, including headstone. Cause of death not released.
Goldsboro News Argus, February 27, 2007
Rest in peace, Baby John Doe
http://www.newsargus.com/news/archives/2007/02/27/rest_in_peace_baby_boy_doe/
WARSAW–More than 100 attend funeral, including Cecil Guy and JoAnn Benson, couple who found body. Guy donated burial plot, next to is wife, Mary Louise. “I wanted him to have a decent burial, and I knew my wife would take care of him.” Comments from attendees.
WWAY-TV, Wilmington, February 26, 2007
Funeral held for abandoned baby
http://www.wwaytv3.com/node/592
WARSAW–Another account of funeral. Picture . Comments.
TEXAS
Dallas Morning News, February 23, 2007
Baby abandoned outside Baylor facility dies
DALLAS–Update on Baylor bench case (BDN v7 #8). Baby dies of suspected severe bacterial infection; born with no functioning brain.
Texarkana Gazette, February 24, 2007
Infant left outside hospital
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2007/02/24/local_news/news/news02.txt
TEXARKANA–Phone call to Christus St. Michael Hospital leads hospital employees to newborn girl left at covered bus stop on hospital grounds. Baby in good condition. Judge will rule on SH status.
WASHINGTON
Everett Herald, February 26, 2007
Women work to ensure safe place for newborns
http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/07/02/27/100loc_b3kristi001.cfm
EVERETT–Feature on Virginia Pfalzer and Joan Dedman, president and vp of Safe Place for Newborns of Washington. 11 SH’d in state. List of tips for those considering abandoning their newborns through SH; Pictures.
***CANADA***
SASKATCHEWAN
Regina Leader-Post, February 23, 2007
Help on way for Baby Jane’s mother
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/story.html?id=a1a87aec-1dba-4692-8d41-cade97b4e6fc
SASKATOON–Update on Saskatoon doorstep/Baby Jane case (BDN v7 #6, 7). Police say 18-year old mother won’t face criminal charges. Police order her to get counseling and education and will monitor her for 6 months. “What we have here is a young woman who needed support and needed assistance from us,” says police spokesperson Alyson Edwards. “It’s a situation where we felt perhaps a criminal change would not be the best course to take. It would not benefit her as much as getting her some support and some education in the community and making sure that she accesses the programs she needs to become a woman who makes better choices than she’s making.” Has not shown interest in gaining custody of baby.
***INTERNATIONAL***
AUSTRALIA
The Age, February 26, 2007
Baby found dead in cupboard
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/02/26/1172338504009.html
GEELONG–Body of newborn girl discovered in laundry cupboard by friend of mother. Preliminary autopsy unable to determine cause of death. Mother’s 2 other children in care of relatives.
BRUNEI
Brunei Direct, February 22, 2007
Police confirm baby in shoebox
http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/fri/feb23h3.htm
ANDAR SERI BEGAWAN–Update on shoebox case (BDN v7 #8). Police say body found in shoebox was 6-7 month fetus.
CHINA
Harvard Gazette, February 22, 2007
Chinese diarist opens door to history
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/02.22/03-harrison.html
CAMBRIDGE–Feature on Harvard China social historian Henrietta Harrison and her new book The Man Awakened from Dreams.” Next book will focus on a Catholic village in Shangxi province. Chinese poor often converted to Catholicism because they could obtain free farmland from the Church. Many church members were originally abandoned female infants whom the church cared for.
INDIA
Chennai Business-Standard, February 23, 2007
“Cradle scheme is a failure”
TAMIL NADU–Interview with P. Phavalam, convener, Society for Integrated Rural Development (SIRD) claming cradle program for abandoned girls has failed. Introduced in 1992 as a short-term measure to prevent female infanticide, it has led to increased number of abandonments. Infanticide has given way to female “foeticide” due to sex selection tests and preference for boys, after government began arresting women for killing their children.
Times of India, February 26, 2007
Newborn girl’s body found in Jaipur sewer
JAIPUR–Body of newborn found in sewer near police station. Autopsy pending.
IRELAND
The Irish Times, February 23, 2007
Mother of stabbed baby calls for public inquiry
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0223/breaking56.htm
DUBLIN–Update on Baby “Niamh/Noleen case (BDN v5 #27, 28, 29, 37, v6 #6, 7,8), Mother Cynthia Owen calls for full public inquiry on case. “I can’t say I feel happy, joy, or anything on that level . But yet I’m relieved that the verdict went my way. When I went into that room [the inquest] Noleen was my daughter, and when I came out of that room Noleen was still my daughter. So nothing has changed for me. She’s still dead and there won’t ever any joy in that.” Picture.
Irish Voice, February 22, 2007
Sickening incest inquest ends
http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irishinamerica/news/SickeningIncestInquestEnds210207.asp
DUBLIN–Review of case. Cynthia Owen gave evidence of being raped repeatedly from the age of 7 or 8 into her teens by four people including a brother who has waived his right to anon. 5 out of 6 females brought up in the home claimed they were sexually abused. 1973 investigation compromised; evidence went missing. Brother committed suicide after telling family member he’d been sodomized in family home. Another disappeared in 2002; suicide suspected. Another female relative committed suicide and left a 37 page letter detailing abuse. Owen’s father and other surviving relatives deny allegations.
ITALY
International Herald Tribune, February 26, 2007
In Rome, a baby abandoned in the safest way
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/27/news/babies.php
ROME–Feature on return of the “foundling wheel” to Rome. at the Casillino Polyclinic. Used first time over weekend when a 3 month old was deposited. “We weren’t expecting a child this old,” says Piermichele Paolilo, head of neonate unit at hospital. “On one hand, we’re satisfied that the procedure worked perfectly . On the other, we can only guess about his life story. Hospital staff names baby Stefano after medic on call who got him. “Young immigrant women are the contemporary counterparts of 19th century servant girls impregnated by their masters,” says Grazia Passeri, creator of wheel who heads project in Rome to assist women and unwanted children. Anonymous medical treatment and birth a la X guaranteed to all women in Italy. Paolilo says that 6 women have delivered at hospital since inauguration of “cradle” and given up newborns for adoption. Calls it “information fallout.” Picture.
Scientific American, February 26, 2007
Italy reinvents wheel to save abandoned babies
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=36C8D2B3E0A29251E74FAB7BFE5931AB
ROME–Family Affairs Minister Rosy Bindi says she wants every hospital in Italy to have a modern day “foundling wheel.” Hopes woman who left baby over weekend will reconsider; offers assistance.
JAPAN
2LD, February 23, 2007
Abe opposes “baby hatch” plan at Kumamoto hospital
(paid archives)
KYODO–Prime Minister Shinzo Abe opposes plan by Kumamoto hospital to set up “baby hatch” or “post” where infants can be left anon, but sees no legal reason that government can block plan. “I feel very uncomfortable about the name ‘post’ I wonder if it is proper to set up something where babies can be left anonymously I’m quite resistant (to the idea.)” Welfare minister Jakuo Yanagisawa agrees that hatch doesn’t break law. State minister Sanae Takaichi, says, “Discussions should be deepened a bit further. It’s no use if it ends up promoting the irresponsible abandonment of children.”
Japan Times, February 24, 2007
Abe cool to hospital baby drop box
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070224a5.html
KYODO–Less detailed account of above story.
Daily Yomiuri, February 24, 2007
Gov’t approves 1st baby hatch/Critics fear decision may encourage parents to abandon newborns
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070224TDY02003.htm
KYODO–More on hatch. Muni gov will begin final administrative procedures to allow Jikei Hospital to install hatch. Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry says decision doesn’t mean that similar applications in future will be approved in a uniform manner. Ministry also discusses potential legal problems, such as whether the action of baby hatching constitutes violation of the Child Abuse Prevention Law and whether hospital officials could face penalties under the Penal Code for assisting parents in abandoning their responsibility as guardians of the newborn. Prof. Masami Ohinata, Keisen University frames support in nationalistic terms: “Will the children really feel they were lucky to have been saved? The nation will be tested over whether its a good place for children to grow up.” Jun Saimura, chief of the Japan Child and Family Research Institute social work study div. opposes: “Even if the final conclusion is that the parents can’t raise the baby on their own, the decision should be made only after having a discussion with them. The first step should be to make child welfare centers and other facilities more accessible.”
MALAYSIA
The Star, February 25, 2007
Infant found dumped outside shop
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/25/north/16972566&sec=north
TAMAN INDERAWASIH–Newborn boy left outside hardware store. Picture.
SOUTH AFRICA
iol.com, February 27, 2007
“Abandoned baby in custody battle
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=nw20070227161658184C295994
JOZA–Vuyokazi Shwempe, 31, biological mother of newborn girl abandoned in field in March 2005 being raised by Xoliswa and Dilza Matiwana files for custody saying she never abandoned baby. Claims she made deal with neighbor and relative Xoliswa to look after baby and raise her as own until she got a job. Before Dilza could pick up baby, children found her in field. Dilza disputes, “If I wanted the baby why would I let her leave the baby in a field? I would have asked her to bring the baby directly to me.” Child Welfare workers recommend the baby be returned to Schwempe.
SPAIN
Typically Spanish, February 26, 2007
Police continue the search for mother of abandoned baby
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_9140.shtml
ALMERIA–Police looking for mother of newborn boy left near San Jose Church; baby in good condition and released state care.
***CONFERENCES***
American Adoption Congress, Boston, March 7-10, 2007
http://www.americanadoptioncongress.org/home.htm
March 7, 2007, 1:45-3:00 PM: Putative father registries and safe haven laws presented by Erik L. Smith and Marley Greiner
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