BABY DUMP NEWS, March 14, 2007–V7 #10-11
March 14, 2007 – 1:08 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
March 14, 2007–v7 #10-11
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: Marla, Linda
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
Double Issue due to BDN editor attendance at the American Adoption Congress conference
March 13, 2007: Bastardette’s letter to Foster’s Daily Democrat: Wendelboe and Woods Inconsistent
***THIS WEEK***
CALIFORNIA–Prosecutor re-files charges against Holly Ashcraft
NEBRASKA–Baby dump bill put on hold
NEW YORK–Tim Jaccard claims 1,116 babies SH’d; gives no source
PENNSYLVANIA–Newborn found dead under bed
TENNESSEE–Dead newborn found at Tennessee Temple University; school prohibits premarital sex
BRUNEI–Imamns condemn baby dumping
….and more!
***STATES***
CALIFORNIA
Stockton Record, March 2, 2007
Woman could be tried again in baby’s death
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070302/A_NEWS/703020322/-1/A_NEWS
STOCKTON–Update on Rozenara Chap case (BDN v5 #42, 43). Judge rules that Chap was not guilty of murder; dismisses jurors when they can’t agree if she were guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors consider filing new charge of involuntary manslaughter. Has been in San Joaquin County Jail since Oct. 2005.
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, March 2, 2007
Charges re-filed against USC student in newborn’s death
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/11158889/detail.html
LOS ANGELES–Update on Holly Ashcraft case (BDN v5 #42, 44-45, 46-47; v6 #3. 7, 39, 40, 48; v7 #3, 6, 7). Prosecutor, in an unusual move, re-files murder charge against Ashcraft after Sup. Court Judge David Wesley dismisses murder charge saying there is only sufficient evidence of lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. “Not knowing clearly what the cause of death was, if an act or omission by this defendant could have or would have caused the death, not knowing in fact if she was capable of rendering aid, I cannot find implied malice” Wesley said. Ashcraft remains under house arrest with electronic monitoring under $200,000 bond.
Stockton Record, March 7, 2007
Woman won’t be tried again in death of newborn
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070307/A_NEWS/703070339
STOCKTON–Rozenara Chap cleared of all charges after 16 months in San Joaquin County Jail. Prosecutor maintains Chap is guilty but doubted a second trial would bring conviction.
KTVU-TV, Oakland, March 10, 2007
Mother gives birth on sidewalk; leaves baby for dead
http://www.ktvu.com/news/11220899/detail.html
OAKLAND–Woman gives birth on sidewalk. then walks away leaving newborn in pool of blood. Mother admitted to hospital after police locate her blocks away from birth. Case being treated as homicide.
CBS 5-TV, San Francisco, March 10, 2007
Oakland update: Autopsy of newborn to be performed early next week
OAKLAND–Paramedics pronounce baby dead on scene; autopsy pending.
CBS 5 – TV, San Francisco, March 13, 2007
Oakland: Autopsy on newborn doesn’t reveal cause of death
OAKLAND–Autopsy fails to determine cause of death; tests pending and results may not be known for 2 months.
CONNECTICUT
Boston Globe, March 9, 2007
Final autopsy report concludes newborn died by drowning
DANBURY–Update on Panna Krom case (BDN v7 #2, 3, 4, 6, 8). Autopsy concludes baby died as result of a homicide caused by drowning.
FLORIDA
WTV-TV, Miami, March 2, 2007
Worker finds baby remains in jar near Belle Glade
http://www.nbc6.net/news/11158066/detail.html
BELLE GLADE– Worker at pump station near Belle Glade finds jar with baby remains buried. Picture.
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, March 3, 2007
Remains found inside jar confirmed to be baby girl
BELLE GLADE–Long review of case. Tests continue to determine cause of death. Parents could face charges if baby was live birth.
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, March 13, 2007
Lab completes tests on mummified baby
WEST PALM BEACH–Update on mummified baby case (BDN v7 #4, 6, 7). Remains of mummified baby found in storage unit returned to PBC by forensic anthropologist hired to perform tests. ME office will issue report later.
GEORGIA
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 12, 2007
Boy finds dead baby in gym bag
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/sandysprings/stories/2007/03/11/0312metbaby.html
SANDY SPRINGS–Davonte Fitzgerald, 12, finds dead newborn in gym bag laying in grass near fire hydrant. Police go door-to-door at townhome community.
MASSACHUSETTS
The Enterprise, March 15, 2007
People and places: Bridgewater fire station now a “safe haven”
http://enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2007/03/05/news/news/news06.txt
BRIDGEWATER–Bridgewater FD School Street station designated as SH drop off. “It just makes sense,” says Herbert J. Lemon, Jr, chairman of the Board of Selectman. “If somebody gets to that position where they have to give the baby up…it certainly is a lot better than putting a baby in a Dumpster. Fire chief says he’s never heard of abandoned baby in town, but “with the college (Bridgewater State College) right down the street, we have the potential for it.”
NEBRASKA
Sioux City Journal (IA), March 10, 2007
Safe-haven bill for abandoned children debated, March 9, 2007
LINCOLN–LB 157 debated in NE legislature. Some senators complain that bill is “pocked with holes” Proponent Sen. Steve Lathrop says, “The bill is an attempt to help those children born to people too afraid to seek medical care…too afraid to go to a hospital to have a child,” Sen. Ernie Chambers opposes calling it a “hodgepodge of foolish intentions.” “What does a firefighter know…about acceptable standards of professional practice? What is a firefighter taught in terms of how to deal with an infant that age? Nothing. Opposition includes Nebraska Medical Association, Nebraska Hospital Association, and groups representing volunteer firefighters.
KETV-TV, Omaha, March 12, 2007
Bill aimed at saving babies targeted by Chambers
http://www.ketv.com/politics/11233074/detail.html
LINCOLN–Sen. Ernie Chambers says he will filibuster to stop LB 157.
Omaha World Herald, March 12, 2007
Legislature delays action on safe have bill
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2346355
LINCOLN–Legislature adjourned Monday without taking action on LB 157. Sen. Ernie Chambers says improving pre-natal care and expanding the availability of food stamps should be higher priorities. Bill sponsor Arnie Stuthman says he plans to work with NE hospitals and firefighters to development amendments addressing their concerns. (Also see “Legislation” below)
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Foster’s Daily Democrat, March 13, 2007
Letters to the editor: Wendelboe and Woods inconsistent
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070313/FOSTERS05/103130142/-1/NEWS13 (scroll down)
DOVER–Letter from BDN editor pointing out inconsistencies in politicians Fran Wendelboe and Phyllis Woods support for anon. birth and baby dumping and attempt to establish parental notification law to force teenagers to tell their parents if they want an abortion. “What kind of twisted legal system requires a teenager to inform her parents if she wants to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, but encourages her to keep that same unwanted pregnancy a secret, carry to term, give birth alone and dangerously, and anonymously abandon her baby?” Also see” The Daily Bastardette, March 13, 2007.
NEW JERSEY
Newsday, March 3, 2007
Officer’s wife gets 4 years for letting newborn drown
BRIDGETON–Update on Tina Marie Reynolds case (BDN v7 #2). Reynolds, 30, wife of Millville police officer, sentenced to 4 years after admitting she let newborn girl drown in bathtub where she had just given birth. I’m sorry for everything, to my family, my husband…I just want to get on with my life after I serve the sentence and get on with my life and get home as soon as possible.” Gave no explanation for death. Requested that no family members be in courtroom for sentencing and asked to be placed in the Cumberland County Jail while waiting prison placement. Reynolds’ other 2 children in care of husband and family members.
NEW YORK
WABC-TV, New York, March 2, 2007
Mix-up leave newborn in hospital restroom
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5085235
MANHASSET–Mother who wanted to SH “rather than abandoning her” leaves baby on floor of hospital restroom due to miscommunication. Earlier called AMT-COH hotline and told of location of maternity ward if she wished to give birth there. Instead she gave birth at home and took baby to maternity ward later, but it was locked. No criminal investigation planned.
WINS-AM , New York, March 2, 2007
Mother of found LI newborn called safe haven
http://1010wins.com/pages/271091.php?contentType=4&contentId=353077
MANHASSET–Review of case. Tim Jaccard claims 1, 116 babies SH in 33 states since 2000 but gives no citations.
Newsday, March 2, 2007
Custodian finds baby in hospital restroom
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-libaby0303,0,736005.story?coll=ny-main-bigpix
MANHASSET–Hospital holds press conference; praises mother who left baby in restroom. Baby now called Baby Jane Doe Hope in good condition. “Jane looked great,” says Dr. Howard Heiman. “There was a loving manner to the way she was cared for.” Picture.
Newsday, March 2, 2007
Officials on LI applaud mom who left baby at “safe haven”
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lisafe0303,0,4668166.story?coll=ny-main-bigpix
MANHASSET–More on case. “The mother and the child are both safe today because of this program,” says Tim Jaccard.
NORTH CAROLINA
Raleigh News Observer, February 27, 2007
Baby’s funeral draw strangers
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/547740.html
WARSAW–Update on empty house case (BDN v7 #7, 9) Another funeral report. Review of case. Picture.
Rocky Mount Telegram, March 8, 2007
Cops help purchase headstone for baby
http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/local/content/news/stories/2007/03/08/fopfundraiser.html
ROCKY MOUNT–Update on Food Lion case (BDN v7 #6, 9) FOP hosts yard sale to raise money to finish paying for funeral and purchase tombstone. $825 collected in cash and $900– worth of items sold. Latter expected to go toward purchase of FOP building. $10,000 reward offered for information to break case, another $1000 may be added from Twin City Crimestoppers.
PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, March 5, 2007
Mother to stand trial in death of newborn
http://www.wjactv.com/news/11175526/detail.html
JOHNSTOWN–Update on Jennifer Strelnik McKendree case (BDN v6 #16, 33, 43-44). McKendree, 33, will stand trial for murder on May 21. Picture.
CBS 3-TV, Philadelphia, March 5, 2007
Questions remain after discovery of dead baby boy
http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_064133308.html
UPPER DARBY–Update on Piscopo/Leone case (BDN v7 #4, 5, 8). Delaware County ME says it may take months for test results. Delay in part caused by search for a new expert in pediatric forensic neuropathology, since former specialist has left area.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 8, 2007
Mother arrested in baby’s death
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07067/767749-54.stm
BUFFALO TWN, BUTLER COUNTY–Lauren Elizabeth Jones, 24, charged with homicide, concealing death of a child, endangering the welfare of a child, and abuse of a corpse after newborn’s body found under bed. Jones’ mother, Debra Troutman, had noticed foul order coming from room, but due to recent surgery was unable to lower herself form bed to floor to investigate. Body found when she requested visitor to investigate. Jones says she gave birth on Feb. 28 between 10 PM and midnight. Father is boyfriend Samuel Jackson who has custody of their 14-month old.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 9, 2007
Autopsy shows newborn alive before stabbing
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07068/768078-54.stm
BUFFALO TWN.BUTLER COUNTY–Jones in Butler County Prison without bond.
TENNESSEE
WMC-TV, Memphis, March 1, 2007
Infant found in Chattanooga college dorm room, dies
http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=6153722
CHATTANOOGA–Newborn boy found under blanket in dorm at Tennessee Temple University pronounced DOA. Authorities undecided whether to pursue charges; school which forbids sex outside of marriage hasn’t said if they will discipline mother.
***INTERNATIONAL***
AUSTRALIA
Geelong Advertiser, March 2, 2007
Wait on forensic tests of dead baby
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/03/02/1780_news.html
GEELONG–Update on cupboard baby case (BDN v7 #9.) Forensic tests won’t be available until next week, Mother, 37, released from hospital where she was treated for blood loss.
Geelong Advertiser, March 13, 2007
Dead baby’s test drama
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/03/13/2077_news.html
GEELONG–Forensics tests fail to reveal whether baby was alive when it was born. Concealment of birth or failure to report a death may be only charges filed.
BRUNEI
BruDirect, March 2, 2007
Heartless trend of dumping infants
http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Mar07/030307/nite01.htm
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN–Reporters learn when interviewing government officials that more babies are abandoned than are publicized. Urges parents who cannot take care of children to turn them over to the dept. of Community Development Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports for care. 27 cases of abandoned babies between 1995-2006. Youngest abandoning mother was 13. Discusses adoption support and legal penalties for abandonment. Islam forbids child abandonment. According to Hajah Siti Sailha binti Haji Abu Salim, Dep. Dean and lecturer at the Syariah Dept. Sultan Omar Ali Salif Iddien Institute of Islamic Studies, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, “”Even dumping the baby when it’s dead already is also forbidden. If they are deceased, we respect them by giving them a proper burial according to Islamic burial rites. If they are just dumped, we have deprived them of their rights as Muslim and that is a sin.”
Borneo Bulletin Weekend, March 10, 2007
Imams denounce abandoning babies, adultery in sermon
http://www.brunei-online.com/weekend/news/mar10h4.htm
NO DATELINE–Imams preach against child abandonment, emphasize Islamic teaching on lawful family life. “Allah creates mankind complete with a mind and the ability to think, and live in this world. However, it is sad to note that there are humans who are merciless in their act of dumping their newborns. Even animals would not dare do such an outrageous act.” Blames baby dumping partially on incest.
EMIRATES
Gulf News Daily, March 1, 2007
Appeal to identify abandoned baby
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=171390&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29346
MANAMA,BAHRAIN–Authorities appeal to Asian man who abandoned newborn at Salmaniya Medical Complex to come forward and ID baby. Told doctors he found him on his apartment doorstep. Baby appears to be Indian Pakistani, or Sri Lankan. and is in good condition.
ENGLAND
Lifestyle Extra, March 5, 2007
Baby found dumped in a carrier bag dies
LONDON–Newborn dumped in carrier bag taken to hospital in critical condition dies. Scotland Yard authorities concerned for welfare of mother.
South London.com, March 6, 2007
Two arrested after dumped baby dies
LONDON–Unnamed teenager and woman in late 20s taken into custody; no details.
24 Dash.com, March 8, 2007
Woman charged over baby found dead on riverbank
http://www.24dash.com/communities/17641.htm
ASTON CANTLOW–Update on Baby Lilly case (BDN v6 #22, 23, 24, 26,50). Unnamed woman, 26, from Alcester will be arraigned on March 16.
IRELAND
Ireland online, February 26, 2007
Senior counsel to review files on death of murdered baby
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=211564196&p=zyy5649xz
DUBLIN–Update on Baby “Niamh/Noleen/Cynthia Owen case (BDN v5 #27, 28, 29, 37, v6 #6, 7,8. 9). Government asks Senior Counsel Patrick Gageby to review all available papers on case to see if there is enough to initiate full inquiry.
JAMAICA
RJR-FM, Kingston, March 8, 2007
Woman who abandoned newborn to be sentenced next week
http://www.rjr94fm.com/news/story.php?category=2&story=33572
ST. ANDREW–Update on St. Andrew Church case (BDN v7 #7). Tanya Burrell, 21, domestic helper, pleads guilty to child abandonment and will be sentenced Wed. Says she went into labor quickly, gave birth in culvert, wandered into churchyard and left baby to go down road to purchase an item. When she returned child was gone.
KUWAIT
Arab Times, March 13, 2007
Police arrest Kuwaiti minors in spate of thefts at co-operatives; man caught selling drugs to pay visa agent (scroll to near end of article for story)
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/arabtimes/kuwait/Viewdet.asp?ID=9880&cat=a
KUWAIT CITY–Indonesian maid arrested for killing newborn; allegedly hit plastic bag with baby in it on the floor until baby stopped crying, then dumped bag in garbage. Confesses to police and says father is the owner of a domestic labor recruiting office.
SANTA LUCIA
Castries Star, March 12, 2007
Dead baby found at Deglos!
http://www.stluciastar.com/NewsHome/LocalNews/tabid/571/newsid1152/1082/Default.aspx
DELGOS–Body of newborn found at Deglos Sanitary Landfill. Autopsy pending.
SOUTH AFRICA
iafrica.com, March 1, 2007
Woman dumps baby, faces murder
http://iafrica.com/news/sa/646507.htm
RUSTENBURG–Concealment of birth charges changed to murder against Mmapula Makagae, 25, arrested in November after she allegedly threw newborn in neighbor’s pit toilet. Bond extended.
East London Dispatch, March 9, 2007
Buffalo City’s abandoned babies
http://www.dispatch.co.za/2007/03/09/Easterncape/buff.html
EAST LONDON–Feature on 7 abandoned babies ranging from 4 to 19 months old living with “safety parents” and children homes run by the Child Welfare Society. Some abandoned at birth. 13% of babies born at Coronation Hospital last year to foreign mothers, which placed great stress on SA free healthcare facilities. Picture.
Johannesburg Mail & Guardian, March 13, 2007
Babies found in filthy cellar back with moms
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=301879&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/
JOHANNESBURG–8 babies removed from filthy cellar in Orange Grove where they had been allegedly abandoned by their teenaged mothers. In good physical condition, though they suffered from eczema. Place described as a dungeon, “It was so dark that one had to use a torch to see…It was also filthy and unsuitable for babies” says municipal ward committee member, Nomonde Duda. Mothers aged 14-16 reportedly worked as prostitutes (some deny allegation) and left babies alone there at night. Some were looked after by an elderly woman; others left alone in other rooms. Police investigating.
Johannesburg Citizen, March 13, 2007
Abandoned ill babies found in dismal cellar
http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=34035,1,22
JOHANNESBURG–More details.
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