BABY DUMP NEWS, March 21, 2007 – v7 #12
March 21, 2007 – 1:07 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
March 21, 2007–v7 #12
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
***THIS WEEK***
CALIFORNIA–Opposition to AB 81 expansion grows
FLORIDA–Woman brings “unwanted” bloody baby to fire station
MARYLAND–Danielle Eboni Riley sentenced to 20 years
MICHIGAN–Body found behind motel
GERMANY–Drunk crawls into babyklappe
…and more!
***STATES***
ARIZONA
LifeSite News, March 15, 2007
Arizona defense lawyers argue no crime committed since pre-born remains are “not human”
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/mar/07031503.html
TUCSON–Update on Regina Lockwood/Nicholi Grimm case (BDN v5 #42, 46-47; v6 24; v7 #2). Defense files for dismissal, claiming that premature baby is not considered a human being and therefore no crime has been committed. Lockwood claims baby was stillborn, and police records show she attempted to cause a miscarriage by taking herbs and castor oil 2 months before birth. Claims she and Grimm, who is not the father, couldn’t afford proper burial so remains were buried in backyard. ME determined baby was nearly full-term, born naturally with no sign of abnormalities No cause of death determined.
CALIFORNIA
Press Release, Don Knabe, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Fourth District. March 13, 2007
Knabe opposes Safe Surrender Program legislation
http://knabe.com/press/releases/2007/031307.html
LOS ANGELES–Don Knabe renews opposition to AB 81 expansion bill. “Many infants who are safely surrendered have received no prenatal care or medical care at all–services that are critical for these newborns to receive in the first hours of birth. The 72-hour window works, and we have extensive research to prove it. There is no data showing that an extension to 30 days proposed by Assemblyman Torrico’s legislation would improve this successful program. That is a risk we simply cannot afford.”
LA Times, March 15, 2007
Autopsy shows baby on sidewalk was stillborn
OAKLAND–Update on sidewalk case (BDN v7 #10-11). Mother, 25, described as “transient prostitute,” released from jail after autopsy determines baby was stillborn.
Long Beach Press-Telegram, March 18, 2007
Editorial: County’s Safe Surrender policy has proven its value again
http://www.presstelegram.com/opinions/ci_5468177
LONG BEACH–Editorial opposed to AB 81 SH expansion. “Extending the time period for a parent who is ill-equipped to care for the child could put the child at grave risk. The 72-hour rule encourages the mother to turn over an unwanted child as quickly as possible. The current policy is helping young mothers in crisis and averting tragedies. State lawmakers should concentrate on fixing policies that are broken rather than tinkering with those that work.
CONNECTICUT
Hartford Courant, March 15, 2007
“Little Miss X” filled in the blanks
NEW BRITAIN–Feature on Maggie Smith aka Little Miss X who in 1950 was abandoned on a doorstep in a bushel apple box at home of Zacharyas Baranowski, his wife, and adult daughter, Jean. Mother was Violet Sadis, 18, already the mother of 18-month old son. Left note to Jean saying “A gift for you. I’ll call in the morning for adoption. If you don’t care for this baby, tell police.” Smith knew she was adopted, but didn’t know she was abandoned until she was 25. Had no contact with Violet Sadis who died 10 years go, but speaks occasionally to half-sister. Segues into CT SH law; 6 newborns left under SH. Pictures.
FLORIDA
WBBH-TV, Fort Myers, March 14, 2007
Firefighters shocked to get abandoned baby
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=11590&z=3&p=
LEHIGH ACRES–Unidentified woman brings newborn, covered with blood and fecal matter to fire station; says neighbor gave birth and didn’t want her.
Fort Myers News-Press, March 20, 2007
Editorial: A mother’s love saves a baby
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/OPINION/703200342/1015
FORT MYERS–Sentimental praise for mother who left baby at fire station. “Her heart must have been in her throat, her psyche a jumble of mixed emotion, her body tensed in fear and head full of ‘what-ifs…’ She arrived in a burgundy Oldsmobile, her shirt was covered with blood and poop and she carried in her arms, wrapped in a towel, a baby girl….” 60th baby “rescued” by SH.
GEORGIA
Atlanta Journal Constitution, March 13, 2007
Search under way for dead infant’s mother
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/sandysprings/stories/2007/03/12/0313metbaby.html
SANDY SPRINGS–Update on townhome case. (BDN v7 #10-11). Police continue investigation; no leads.
ILLINOIS
Chicago Daily Southtown, March 21, 2007
Baby in good condition, left at fire station
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/news/306369,dst_firebaby_321.article
WORTH–Newborn boy, wrapped in blankets left in carriage behind fire station. In good condition at Palos Community Hospital.
INDIANA
Evansville Courier & Press, March 17, 2007
Patoka baby found dead
http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/mar/17/patoka-baby-found-dead/
PATOKA–Vanessa Robinson, 21, goes to hospital complaining of abdominal pain. doctors determine she recently gave birth and call police. Body of newborn found in cardboard box in basement. Robinson admitted to hospital in critical condition. Comments.
MARYLAND
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC, March 16, 2007
Woman gets 20-year term in newborn’s death
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0307/406079.html
BALTIMORE–Update on Danielle Eboni Riley case (BDN v5 #41, 49). Riley sentenced to 20 years; plead guilty last fall to 2nd degree murder and child abuse resulting in death. Defense asked for 10 year sentence saying Riley had been sexually abused for years by her mother’s former boyfriend and didn’t know how to ask for help.
MICHIGAN
WDIV-TV, Detroit, March 20, 2007
Newborn baby found dead behind motel
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/11304191/detail.html
YPSILANTI TWN–Man taking dog for walk behind motel finds bag with newborn’s body in it. Autopsy pending.
PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Tribiune-Review, March 15, 2007
Officials say Butler Co. newborn was suffocated
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_497837.html
BUFFALO TWN, BUTLER COUNTY-Update on Lauren Elizabeth Jones case (BDN v7 #10-11). Coroner says baby was suffocated by plastic bag placed over head.
TENNESSEE
Knoxville News, March 21, 2007
Burchett: Teach options for panicked moms
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5432878,00.html
NASHVILLE–Sen. Tim Burchett changes bill to urge–not require–schools to teach SH in 9th-12th grade.
VIRGINIA
Rocktown Weekly, March 14, 2007
Authorities still probing alleged dumping of baby
http://www.rocktownweekly.com/news_details.php?AID=9279&CHID=1
HARRISONBURG–Update on Rockingham County landfill case (BDN v7 #5, 6, 8). No body found yet and police unclear about what type of charges to file against 18-year old woman who told them she gave birth in dorm and then discarded baby in trash. Confession alone not enough to convict.
***INTERNATIONAL***
BELIZE
Belize City Amandala, March 19, 2007
Newborn baby found in North Creek canal
http://www.amandala.com.bz/index.php?id=5502
NORTH CREEK–Sanitation worker finds body of newborn boy found face down in tangled grass near swamp. Picture.
Channel 5-TV, Belize City, March 19, 2007
Newborn baby dumped in North Creek canal
http://new.channel5belize.com/archive_detail_story.php?story_id=18166
NORTH CREEK–Interview with Noel Ebanks who found body. Picture.
ENGLAND
Liverpool.co.uk, March 14, 2007
Police appeal to mother of tragic baby Callum
LIVERPOOL–Police make new appeal for mother of Baby Callum found dumped in bin bag near children’s theme park 9 years ago. Autopsy indicated baby lived a few hours before being strangled and dumped.
GERMANY
Deutsche Welle, March 19, 2007
Unhappy German drunk puts himself up for adoption
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2389482,00.html
DORFMUND–Heinrich Muller, 28, drunk, climbs inside babyklappe. Found by hospital staff smoking a cigarette; falls asleep when they try to free him. “It is understood that Muller was returned to his original family after the incident…Police waived [that] confidentiality agreement as they had a few things they wanted to quiz him over.”
Monsters and Critics, March 21, 2007
Police arrest mother: new-born baby thrown to death from high-rise
HAMBURG–26-year old Polish woman charged with homicide, accused of throwing newborn girl out window of 10th-storey apartment. Hid pregnancy. Claims her Macedonian boyfriend grabbed baby and flung her out window. Due to inconstancies in story nationwide manhunt for boyfriend called off.
ITALY
Catholic News Service, March 14, 2007
Modern adaptation of ancient cradle welcomes unwanted babies in Italy
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0701458.htm
ROME–More on Rome’s babywheel. Over last 14 the anti-abortion organization Movimento per la Vita has placed 10 cribs in convents and Centers for Life for women to leave babies. Though they haven’t been used, Giorgio Gilbertini from MV says they serve promotional purpose and have become “monuments to life.” Real “cradles” are the Centers for Life. Since 1994 anonymous donors have “adopted” expectant mothers at the centers. Mothers undergo a careful screening process and receive about $210 a month for 18 months. “We have helped 77,000 babies be born by providing the mother with the help she needed. All 77,000 babies stayed with their mothers” The top 2 reasons women consider abortion or abandonment is solitude and economics, Gilbertini says.
JAPAN
IPS, March 20, 2007
“Baby Hatch” plan still on hold
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=36914
TOKYO–Conservative officials continue to resist launch of Jikei Hospital baby hatch program. Opposition based mostly on grounds that scheme might encourage increase in abandonment. Dr. Kunio Kitamura, from the Japan Family Planning Association complains about opposition, “Opposing a baby box, referred to as a post here, comes from the notion that decisions by women must be governed by archaic tradition and law rather than their own individual concerns. This has to change.” Abandonment framed as reproductive right.
PHILIPPINES
GMA News, March 16, 2007
Baby abandoned in Pampanga
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/34514/Baby-abandoned-in-Pampanga
PAMPANGA–Newborn girl abandoned in village; sustained minor bruises on face and body.
SOUTH AFRICA
iol.com, March 19, 2007
Baby found dead in plastic bag
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20070319192700100C999216
JOHANNESBURG–Body of newborn found in plastic bag at rubbish site.
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