BABY DUMP NEWS, June 6, 2007 – v7 #23
June 6, 2007 – 12:36 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
June 6. 2007 –v7 #23
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
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
2nd catch up post
THANKS: Maryanne
***THIS WEEK***
FLORIDA–Teen charged in Pompano resort death
ILLINOIS–Baby revived by paramedics
NEW HAMPSHIRE–Man wants state to return his mummy
SOUTH CAROLINA–Foster mother drops off baby at hospital
ALBERTA–Baby found on doorstep
AUSTRIA–Remains of 3 newborns found
…and more!
***STATES***
ARIZONA
Arizona Republic, May 31, 2007
Bail hearing cancelled for mom accused in newborn’s death
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0531netureman0531.html
SCOTTSDALE–Update on Cynthia Tureman case (BDN v7 #17-18; 19, 22). Tureman waives hearing that might have allowed her to post bond. Earlier denied bond due to investigation into her illegal residency status, but she appears to be in country legally. No explanation of why she waived hearing.
FLORIDA
Orlando Sentinel, June 3, 2007
Outreach has mission of saving babies
MIAMI–Feature on Nick Silverio and Safe Haven for Newborns/Gloria M. Silverio Foundation. Recently started new promotion campaign as well as taught how-to-abandon-your-baby classes in Catholic schools. Silverio says of SH, “It’s not promoting having a child, leaving a child, and living your life. But it’s the compassionate approach to deal with it.” Claims that SH mothers can “make arrangements to stay informed about the child’s well-being.” Maintains SH “isn’t pro-life or pro-choice or any of that, and it’s meant to be that way. We stay away from all that.” Calls SH “a courageous choice.”
DesMoines Register, June 4, 2007
Baby killing charges against Solon teen shock town
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070604/NEWS/70604030/-1/SPORTS06
POMPANO BEACH/SOLON,IA–Ashley Truitt, 18, from Solon, Iowa, described as quiet and studious, charged with 1st degree murder in Broward County FL after staff in a Pompano Beach resort found newborn girl’s body in trashbin. Apparently hid pregnancy from parents and boyfriend, who she says isn’t the father. On vacation with family and boyfriend and gave birth in condo bathroom then threw baby down garbage chute. Autopsy indicates baby died of blunt force trauma caused from 7 storey fall. Boyfriend Jason Black became suspicious when he found blood in bathroom and followed Truitt to trash room, but she locked him out. Later denied any wrongdoing to him. Truitt could face death penalty. Picture. Comments.
HAWAI’I
Honolulu Star Bulletin, June 2, 2007
Letters: Safe haven laws help newborns survive
http://starbulletin.com/2007/06/02/editorial/letters.html
HONOLULU–Letter from Jean and Mike Morrisey: “Contrary to what critics say, Safe Haven laws do not strip the infants’ family heritages or medical records…Governor Lingle’s veto of Hawaii’s Safe Haven law forces the stripping of heritages and medical records of abandoned newborns, jeopardizing their lives.
ILLINOIS
ABC 7-TV, Chicago, May 31, 2007
Paramedics save newborn found in garbage bag
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5354936
CHICAGO–Paramedics revive newborn found in garbage bag in closet of Westside home; expected to be OK. Called to home on report of woman hemorrhaging; denies birth but once at hospital admits to giving birth. Paramedics return to scene and find baby after extensive search.
Chicago Tribune, June 1, 2007
Prosecutors: mother kissed infant goodbye
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070601mother-charged,1,5175208.story?ctrack=2&cset=true
CHICAGO–Alsina Shelton, 23, charged with attempted murder and felony reckless conduct. In hospital recovering from complications; bond set at $200,000. According to prosecutors Shelton, the mother of a 5 and 1-year old, hid pregnancy from boyfriend and mother; afraid mother would throw her out of house if she had another baby. Mother found Shelton in bathroom with knife she used to cut cord and initially thought her daughter had stabbed herself and called 911. Shelton, while waiting for paramedics, reportedly kissed baby 3 times, put him in plastic bag , tied it shut, and dropped it in closet.
Chicago Sun Times, June 3, 2007
Mary Mitchell: It’s needless, senseless to abandon baby
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/411542,CST-NWS-mitch03.article
CHICAGO–No excuse for teens to have unprotected sex; if they can afford designer clothes and trips to hair dresser they can buy condoms. Says since SH went into effect 31 infants “legally” abandoned and 44 left in unsafe places with 21 dead.
Chicago Sun-Times, June 4, 2007
Editorial: A way out: Leave newborns at fire stations, hospitals
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/412588,CST-EDT-edits04b.articleprint
CHICAGO–”Chances are” Alsina Shelton didn’t now about SH. Describes law as a “safe haven for the emotionally or financially impoverished parents to relinquish infants up to seven day old who aren’t abused or listed as missing.” Provides away out for “overtaxed” parents.
INDIANA
NWI Times, June 6, 2007
Authorities unable to ID dead baby
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/06/06/news/top_news/doca9211068ac3dbe6b862572f1007ccd2a.txt
GARY–Update on abandoned house case (BDN v6 #42). Lake County authorities likely to rule death of fullterm newborn found in abandoned house 8 months as a homicide. No indication of trauma.
IOWA
KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids, June 5, 2007
Helping families in crisis and saving lives of newborns
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/7852872.html
IOWA CITY–Review of Ashley Truitt case (see above, Florida) and reminder of SH laws in Iowa. Jay Cayner, Assist. Hospital Director, UIHC says, “It’s (SH) a great backstop for families in crisis in that it provides a safe alternative for the baby.” 8 reported SH cases in state.
Iowa City Press-Citizen, June 6, 2007
Web Site: Solon Teen “innocent” of killing newborn
http://www.hawkcentral.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS01/70606011/1079/HAWKS
IOWA–Artist Robert Schueler, who used to live across the street from Truitt and whose stepchildren were her friends, sets up website to support Truitt. Calls Solon community, “negligent in creating a healthy community of openness, trust and confidence for the ultimate well-being of Ashley Truitt. Encourages visitors to donate to defense fund. Page now down due to abusive emails from locals.
KENTUCKY
WBKO-TV, Bowling Green, May 31, 2007
Baby John Doe update
http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/7772842.html
BOWLING GREEN–Update on Baby John Doe case (BDN v7, #9, 13, 14, 15) Baby doing well and in foster care.
MICHIGAN
Battlecreek Enquirer, June 2, 2007
Westland woman accused of discarding her newborn in trash bag now wants to see baby
http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070601/NEWS01/306010003/1002
WESTLAND–Update on Valeeka Gartrell case (v7 #17-18; 19, . Gartrell charged with attempted murder and 1st degree child abuse says she wants to visit baby. Lawyer Barry Resnick says she was most likely suffering for postpartum depression.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Concord Monitor, May 31, 2007
Man wants his mummy back
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070531/REPOSITORY/705310331/1043/NEWS01
CONCORD–Update on Concord mummy case (BDN v6 #18). Though investigation is completed state refuses to return heirloom baby mummy, in his family for 90 years, to Charles Peavey. Test results show little if nothing new about origins or identity. State declined to perform DNA test since no foul play was suspected , but says since Peavey can’t claim a connection to the baby, he can’t have it. Looking into options. Picture.
OHIO
Toledo Blade, June 2, 2007
Unplanned pregnancies have solutions
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070602/OPINION03/70602003
TOLEDO–Letter from Joyce Meyer recommending crisis pregnancy counseling at Heartbeat of Toledo over SH.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Aiken Standard, June 5, 2007
Woman abandons infant at hospital
http://www.aikenstandard.com/news/289049554344122.php
AIKEN–2-week old infant taken into protective custody at birth and placed with aunt, dropped off at Aiken regional Medical Centers ER after baby’s father complains to police about living conditions in home Aunt, who has custody of other children, says she can’t take care of him
TEXAS
Weatherford Democrat, June 6, 2007
Infant found dead on shores of Eagle Mountain Lake
http://www.weatherforddemocrat.com/homepage/local_story_157112408.html?keyword=leadpicturestory
AZLE–Infant’s body in plastic bag found on shores of Eagle Mountain lake; appears full-term baby was in water for at least 2 weeks.
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, June 6, 2007
Family shocked by newborn’s murder
http://www.newschannel5.tv/2007/6/6/971068/Family-Shocked-by-Newborn-s-Murder
LYFORD–Wendy Gill, 17, charged with capital murder; newborn found in plastic bag on her bed. Gill’s mother says she’s disgusted; teen was always good other to her other child. Picture.
***CANADA***
ALBERTA
570 AM News Talk , Kitchener, Ontario, June 6, 2007
Neighbors still in disbelief after finding abandoned baby
http://www.570news.com/news/national/article.jsp?content=n0606166A
MEDICINE HAT–Newborn baby in hospital and in good health, found, wrapped in shirt and a towel, on doorstep. Residents on vacation but neighbor working in yard discovered him after hearing cries.
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatoon Phoenix-News, June 6, 2007
Woman hides dead baby in bag
WINNIPEG–Newborn dead after 23-year old woman reportedly gives birth in bathtub; put body in plastic bag. No details.
***INTERNATIONAL***
AUSTRIA
Monsters & Critics, June 2, 2007
Bodies of three infants found in Innsbruck cellar
INNSBRUCK–Badly decomposed corpses of 3 newborns found in apartmenthouse cellar.
CHINA
ABC News, June 6, 2007
Five babies abandoned in back of stolen car
HEBEI PROV–Police find 5 babies, about 10 days old, in back of stolen car; suspect they were kidnapped in Shanghai to be sold on blackmarket.
EMIRATES
Dubai 7 Days, June 1, 2007
Mother jailed for trying to kill newborn
http://www.7days.ae/showstory.php?id=51647
DUBAI–Update on MK case (BDN v7 #15, 20). MK sentenced to 3 years in jail and deported after release; charged with “attempting to kill illegitimate child.” Baby with her at sentencing hearing and will remain with her in prison. Defense considers sentence fair but will appeal.
INDIA
The Times of India, June 5, 2007
Newborn dumped on road, father held
KOLKATA–Amit Das, daily labourer, and wife Uma arrested for abandoning 4-day old son near railway station. Couple eloped after Uma became pregnant and family threatened to reject them if they returned home with child. Couple show no of remorse. Bank employee and wife interested in adopting baby.
JAPAN
White Rock (SD) Reviewer, May 31, 2007
Dead baby found in abandoned apartment
http://www.onelocalnews.com/whiterockreviewer/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=116520
SAPORO–Workers clearing vacated apartment find dead newborn in portable ice chest among former resident’s belongings.
SOUTH AFRICA
iol.com May 31, 2007
Moms driven to despair, says expert
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20070531033039284C681361
JOHANNESBURG–Joan van Niekerk, national co-coordinator of Childline discusses reasons women abandon babies including being abandoned by the fathers. criticism from families and communities, and HIV and AIDS pandemic. Says first sexual experience of 80% of South African women is without their consent. Though she doesn’t rule out baby bins she prefers a “more positive approach which would include consultations with communities, parents and hospital staff.
iol.com, June 4, 2007
Baby Ruth “let down” by court
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20070604001848395C858988
JOHANNESBURG–South African Supreme Court refuses to permit Americans Althea and Django de Gree from taking custody of Baby Ruth, abandoned in bucket at birth. Rev. David Webb and wife Caroline, friends of the De Grees have been fostering Ruth. Though court agrees that Ruth will be better off with the family it rejected adoption because petition was filed thought the High Court instead of through the Children’s Court in order to “jump the queue” No family members or others have come forward to claim Ruth.
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.