BABY DUMP NEWS – May 23, 2007–v7 #21
May 23, 2007 – 12:46 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
May 23, 2007 –v7 #21
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: Di
May 22, 2007″ Bastard Nation Letter to Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle: Please Veto HB 1830 Baby Dump
***THIS WEEK***
NEW JERSEY–Bill pushed to add SH to curriculum
NEW YORK–Mom leaves baby in bushes and calls cops
PENNSYLVANIA–Mia Sardella charged with 11 counts in high profile case
TEXAS–Kenisha Berry death sentence overturned
SASKATCHEWAN–Baby born and left at Wal-Mart
AUSTRALIA–Man offers $300,000 house to Baby Catherine’s mother
TAIWAN–”Father of Abandoned Babies” jailed for trafficking
…and more!
***STATES***
ALABAMA
Mobile Press-Register, May 18, 2007
Judge delays ruling on woman’s bail
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/117948035150760.xml&coll=3
BAY MINETTE–Update on Marsha Gossett Colby case (BDN v5 #7, 9, 11, 26; v6 #15, 19). Bond hearing pushed back to June 18; ruling on motion to suppress Colby’s statement to police when she was arrested.
Prosecutors seek death penalty.
MASSACHUSETTS
MySpace
LEXINGTON–Morriseys blogging on MySpace.
NEBRASKA
Omaha World-Herald, May 22, 2007
Foster family, others hope to adopt abandoned newborn
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=2388659
OMAHA–Update on apartment baby case (BDN v7 #20). Baby, called John Doe for now, with foster family who hopes to adopt him; others also interested.
NEW JERSEY
Bergen Record, May 21, 2007
Legislators want wider focus on Safe Haven law
TRENTON–Bill to require SH “educational materials” to be distributed in public school nurse offices and health education classrooms sails through senate education committee. No debate. Assb. Joan Voss says young people today become sexually active at young age. “This I think will save lives and I think it’s important that we let our kids know that there are options.” DYFS says 32 SH cases since law went into effect; another 26 babies abandoned unsafely or murdered.
NEW YORK
Newsday, May 21, 2007
His mission is to help the helpless
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nyroc215223399may21,0,340433.story?coll=ny-nynews-print
BROOKLIN–Update on Nicole Young case (BDN v7 #7). Feature on Det. Jason Schwartz who investigated case and Tim Jaccard and AMT-Children of Hope. COH held funeral for baby, now called Jason Young Hope, after Young’s family was unresponsive to letters from city and let baby’s body remain in morgue.
Newsday, May 22, 2007
Police: Mom abandons newborn girl in W. Babylon
WEST BABYLON–Police get phone tip that “unknown” person has left baby in bushes; caller ID traced call and ID’d caller as baby’s mother Kathryn Longendyke, 22. Friends say abandonment out of character. Picture.
WABC-TV, New York City, May 22, 2007
Baby abandoned, then found alive in woods
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=local&id=5326736
WEST BABYLON–More details. Comments from friends and neighbors. Baby in good condition; Longendyke undergoing psychiatric evaluation. Picture.
Newsday, May 23, 2007
A time for compassion for baby–and mother
WEST BABYLON–Commentary by Ellis Hinican. No charges filed yet, Longengyke and baby still in hospital. “But if the facts as we know them hold up, this case of the baby in the bushes should be treated as a sad and tragic and pathetic act by a panicked and distraught new mother with whatever hormones rage at such a time. It is that, rather than the scheme of a conniving criminal.”
Albany Times-Union, May 24, 2007
Teen dumped newborn, DA says
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=592072&category=REGION&newsdate=5/24/2007
BRUNSWICK–Autopsy unable to determine cause of death of baby found dead in garbage last month. Mother Victoria Leigh McGivern, 18, gave birth at home and later placed body in trash can. Charged with unlawful disposal of body.
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte News Observer, May 21, 2007
Woman charged in infant’s slaying
http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/130645.html
CHARLOTTE–Ester Flores, 20, charged in death of day-old infant Esmerelda Garcia Flores, born at home. No details.
WSOC-TV, Charlotte, May 22, 2007
Charlotte mother faces murder charge in infant’s death
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/13364904/detail.html
CHARLOTTE–Flores in court with interpreter; does to speak English. Authorities still tight-lipped about investigation. Picture. Video.
Raleigh News & Observer, May 23, 2007
Bill would teach students about “safe surrender”
http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/576979.html
RALEIGH–Bill introduced to mandate how-to-abandon-your-baby in school curriculum. “This is a bill about life,” says Rep. Phil Haired. “It’s about educating our young people who end up in circumstances where they have a child that’s unwanted.” No vocal opposition.
NORTH DAKOTA
KXMB-TV, Bismarck, May 17, 2007
Major break in 1999 investigation
http://www.kxmb.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=124409
MANDAREE– Dana Deegan, 34, charged murder in federal court for 1998 murder of newborn son. Deegan allegedly told FBI agents that she had baby at home in Oct. 1998, then left it alone for 2 weeks without food or water. Put body in suitcase and dumped it in ditch where rancher found it. Deegan works in tribal development and faces life in prison. Case broken by advanced technology. Picture. Comments.
KXMB-TV, Minot, May 22, 2007
Baby Moses murder suspect in court
http://www.kxmb.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=125763
MANDAREE–Deegan released on bond. Must be supervised by another adult when she’s with her children or anyone else’s; cannot leave Reservation without permission. Comments. Picture.
OHIO
WTOL-TV, Toledo, May 17, 2007
Young mothers say they sympathize for mother of abandoned baby
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=6529357
FINDLAY–Update on Riverside Park case (BDN v7 #19). Young mothers from Mom’s House, a center for women who have crisis pregnancies where they can get free daycare and child rearing help and financial advice, say they sympathize with mother of abandoned baby. “You know you have those trials and errors and those difficult situations where you just want to give up,” says Brittney Garufos, mother of 2 1/2 year old son. “You just don’t want to keep going and you think this is just too hard.” Police haven’t said if charges will be filed against mother.
WTOL-TV, Toledo, May 17, 2007
Abandoned Findlay baby turned over to Children’s Protective Services
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=6534903
FINDLAY–Hancock County CPS granted temporary custody; police receive tips, but no solid leads.
WTOL-TV, May 22, 2007
Crime Stoppers need help finding abandoned baby’s mother and/or father
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=6553178
FINDLAY–Findlay/Hancock County Crime Stoppers and Findlay PD ask public help in locaing parents. No leads.
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia Daily News, May 18, 2007
Coverup in trunk-baby death
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20070518_Coverup_in_trunk-baby_death_.html
UPPER DARBY–Update on Piscopo/Leone case (BDN v7 #4, 5, 8, 10-11) . UD police chief Michael Chitwood accuses Delaware County DA of covering up on the autopsy of baby found in trunk of car because alleged mother is granddaughter of prominent businessman Albertt F. Piscopo. Chitwood contends that ME has determined cause of death, but it’s being withhhheld from police and public on orders of DA. “They’re doing this double-dealing shuck-and jive stuff…It’s an insult to me as a law-enforcement professional. I fault a system, whether it comes from the district attorney’s office or the medical examiner’s office, that does not share information on a case of this magnitude. DA spokesperson calls charge, “patently ridiculous.” Chitwood holds press conference to air frustrations. Alleged mother now identified as Mia Sardella. Picture.
Philadelphia Inquirer, May 22, 2007
Baby dead in trunk was alive at birth
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20070522_Infant_found_in_car_trunk_was_alive_at_birth.html
UPPER DARBY–Delaware County ME rules that baby died of asphyxiation shortly after birth. Defense lawyers says he hasn’t seen report but will “vigorously defend” against murder charge.
WCAU-TV, May 22, 2007
Teen charged with smothering newborn
(off server)
UPPER DARBY–Mia Sardella turns herself over to UD police; accompanied by mother and grandparents. Charged with criminal homicide, 1st and 3rd degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, simple and aggravated assault, recklessly endangering welfare of a child, concealing death of a child, and abuse of a corpse. Sardella told family she gave birth at home on New Year’s Day, “realized the baby was dead,” and locked body in trunk of car for 3 weeks. Defense says they’re not arguing that baby’s death was an accident, but that they can refute the prosecution’s case. Picture.
WCAU-TV, May 22, 2007
19-year old accused of smothering baby released on bail
http://www.nbc10.com/news/13375192/detail.html?rss=phi&psp=news
MEDIA–Mia Sardella will be released on $250.000 bond as soon as electronic monitoring system is set up. Grandfather Albert Piscopo came to court with $50,000 in cash on him and joked that his wife may have to sell some of her jewelry to get the rest. Picture.
TEXAS
Houston Chronicle, May
Texas appeals court throws out woman’s death sentence
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4830675.html
HOUSTON–Update on Kenisha Berry case (v3 # 24, 25, 28, 34; v4 #5, 8.9) TX SC upholds conviction but throws out death sentence. Berry must serve 40 years before eligible for parole. Court rules that prosecutors misstated special issue presented to jurors regarding Berry’s likelihood of being a future danger to society. Berry convicted of 1998 smothering death of Baby Malachi and abandoning Baby Paris found alive in ditch in 20043. Both bound with duct tape.
***CANADA***
SASKATCHEWAN
National Post, May 23, 2007
Full-term baby boy born in Wal-Mart washroom
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=4d3e4028-9f8c-428e-9d64-ab0a40013c83&k=2805
PRINCE ALBERT–Newborn found in Wal-mart restroom; rushed to hospital in serious but stable condition.
CBC, May 23, 2007
Sask. ponders safe abandonment law for newborns
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2007/05/23/baby-law.html
REGINA–Justice Minister Frank Quennell says government hasn’t considered SH plan but might look at it.
CJME-AM, Regina, May 23, 2007
No save baby haven
http://www.newstalk980.com/index.php?p=ntnews&action=view_story&id=8556
REGINA–Reports that Quennell says emphasis should be on available services to pregnant women, not SH.
******
***INTERNATIONAL***
AUSTRAILIA
***LOTS OF NEWS ON BABY CATHERINE. HERE ARE A FEW STORIES***
News.com May 17, 2007 (also other newspapers)
Unwanted babies are not disposable items
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21746325-5007146,00.html
MELBOURNE–Update on Baby Catherine case (BDN v7 #20). Attacks legalized abandonment systems in US, Germany, and Japan. “In the US, there seems to be a thriving business in abandoned babies, and in Germany it is as though every second hospital has a “baby hatch” designed for the dumping of newborn human flotsam.” Also criticizes mother, “If the mother comes forward she is not entitled to pick put the baby and start playing happy families immediately.” Says Kennett is right to have concern for mother although she should not be absolved of responsibility; Agrees with PM Howard, also. “Heaven forbid Australia follows the Untied States where at last count 47 states have the “safe haven law” which is something like a “try-before-you-buy” clause for babies…It’s a little like buying a new TV set. If the mother decides within the specified period that she does not want the child, she simply drops it off and gets on with life, her time as an incubator behind her.”…”We must never consider acceptable a world where babies are treated as disposable., whether it is in a cardboard box, or stuffed into some hospital chute, like human waste.”
Catholic News, May 17, 2007
Don’t criticize abandoned child’s mother: Centacare chief
http://www.cathnews.com/news/705/99.php
MELBOURNE–Adoption advocate Fr. Joe Caddy warns that criticism of mother who left newborn outside hospital will harm her. “She feels alone. She feels marginal . She’s scared. She’s got a big responsibility lying in her hands and she doesn’t know what to do with it. To push her any further to the edge is quite dangerous and we need to be inviting her in, not pushing her away.” Picture.
Sydney Morning Herald, May 19, 2007
In a spin over one pretty baby
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/in-a-spin-over-one-pretty-baby/2007/05/18/1178995411777.html
MELBOURNE–Review of Baby Catherine media circus. Points out that the broader issue of child protection, especially when it involves “less telegenic subjects than babies” don’t attract public interest. Child abuse and neglect ignored.
Melbourne Herald-Sun, May 20, 2007
Abandoned baby breakthrough
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,21761330-661,00.html
MELBOURNE–Woman claiming to be mother calls hotline; says she afraid of being charged. Says she’ll call again but hasn’t. Picture.
Melbourne Herald-Sun, May 22, 2007
Catherine off to foster home, May 22, 2007
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21772110-661,00.html
MELBOURNE–Baby in foster care, but DHS officials still hope mother will come forward; want to work with her. DHS case manager Louise Quigley wants to talk to woman believed to be mother who called last week. “…she (Catherine) is going to want to know about her family of origin, who her mother is…those things are very important as they move into adulthood.” Picture.
Sydney Ninemsn, May 22, 2007
Catherine’s mum offered $300k apartment
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=268778
MELBOURNE–Wealthy developer Maurice Jacobson and wife Valda pledge $300,000 home to mother if she comes forward. “Babies should be with their mothers…She’s a beautiful little baby. A soon as I saw her in the paper I knew I had to help her.” Believes mother left Catherine out of “financial desperation.” Picture.
news.com, May 22, 2007
Trust set up for baby Catherine
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21774132-2,00.html
MELBOURNE–Hospital swamped with cash and other donations for Baby Catherine; trust fund will be established. Police have no interest in pursuing criminal charges.
INDIA
Express India, May 21, 2007
Abandoned one-day-old child found by pedestrians
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=237482
PANCHKULA–Pedestrians find baby in ditch near industrial area. Police ID mother, Shiv Devi, 32, who says she thought baby was stillborn. Baby returned to her.
News Post, May 21, 2007
Woman arrested for killing her newborn in Orissa
http://newspostindia.com/report-509
ORISSA–Kanaka Rana, 18, admits she killed newborn girl in hospital maternity ward an hour after delivery. Was married in March but has child from a previous relationship and says she feared ostracism from villagers
NewKerala, May 22, 2007
Bhopal eunuch adopts deserted infant
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=31981
BHOPAL–Eunuch Suraiya Nayak, adopts Khushboo; hopes baby will fill gap in lonely life. “We are very happy after adopting this child. We cannot have our own children, so we thought of adopting one. We got this child from a hospital where it was abandoned by somebody.” Says baby will be kept away from singing and dancing and given education at hostel.
JAPAN
Daily Yomiuri, May 17, 2007
Baby drop-off points under scrutiny
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070517TDY03005.htm
KUMAMOTO–Update on toddler case (BDN v7 #20). Review of comments on case. from press and officials. Hospital still refuses to comment. Tsuyoshi Hiramatsu, professor of information law at Daito Bunk University criticizes silence. “Withholding personal information in order to protect a person is a mistake. Announcing whether the hatch has been used won’t lead to individuals being identified. Even though a crime may have been committed, it’s more likely that disclosing information would benefit the public. I don’t know how exactly this is supposed to protect the child.” Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry refrains of taking sides, says “well nurture the abandoned boy.”
OhMy News.com, May 19, 2007
Japan’s baby mailbox
A Japanese hospital struggles to solve child abandonment and abortion
http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?no=362287&rel_no=1
KUMOMOTO–Korean commentary on Stork’s Cradle. Review of history. Claims baby box represents a “courageous acknowledge of what is most needed by the society: openness.” May lead “community” to better understand child abandonment and abortion. “The hospital undoubtedly stands as the beacon for the sanctity of life while offering a practical but well-thought solution scheme, extreme as it may look.”
Mainichi Daily News, May 22, 2007
Newborn baby girl found alive in plastic bag at garbage-collection site
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/national/news/20070522p2a00m0na008000c.html
TOKYO–Part-time cleaner finds newborn baby found at garbage collection site at apartment complex. Baby in good condition. Picture.
NAMIBIA
The Namibian, May 18, 2007
Newborn dumped at Oranjemund
http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200705180323.html
ORANJEMUND–Julia Shanyengana, 27, charged with concealing birth; accused of suffocating baby after she left hospital, and dumping body in rubbish bin.
NIGERIA
News 24-TV, Cape Town (SA), May 20, 2007
Pigs eat day-old baby
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_2116166,00.html
ABUJA–Pigs eat day-old baby abandoned near Asa River. Neighbors tried to drive pigs away, but only an arm was saved.
TAIWAN
China Post, May 22, 2007
Baby-trafficking couple are sentenced to 12 years in prison
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/news/archives/taiwan/2007522/110263.htm
TAIPEI–Update on Wang Ching-ming case (BDN v6 #28). , Wang, self-professed “Father of Abandoned Babies” and wife sentenced to 12 years and NT$1.5 million for trafficking infants. Charged with purchase of 11 babies and sale of 39 and issuing 101 false birth certificates. Babies were abandoned by parents and should have been taken to orphanages; also obtained infants from maternity clinic. Buyers were people who didn’t want to go through normal adopting process. Others also sentenced.
UGANDA
Kampala Sunday Monitor, May 20, 2007
This dustbin baby grows into a big bright girl
http://www.monitor.co.ug/sunday/life/life05204.php
KISUGU–Feature on Nalwadda, now 6 who, abandoned at 2 weeks of age, and raised by elderly couple. Orphan school which Nalwadda attends furnishes her and her mother, 69,breakfast and supper. Father died at age 90. Pictures.
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