BABY DUMP NEWS, June 20, 2007–v7 #25
June 20, 2007 – 12:33 pm
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
June 20, 2007 –v7 #25
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***
HAWAI’I–Oprah wants SH law
NEW JERSEY–Ashley Ray Eberson sentenced to 7 years
PENNSYLVANIA–Philly mom charged in death of newborn
CANADA–Family adopts abandoned baby moose
BRUNEI–Imams denounce baby dumping
…and more!
***STATES***
HAWAI’I
Hawai’i Reporter, June 20, 2007
Opinion: Today, Oprah Winfrey calls on Hawaii to enact Baby Safe Haven Law
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?157608d6-70a5-43e0-80a0-74838090402a
HONOLULU–Mike Morrisey advises readers to watch Oprah’s “An American Tragedy” which includes segments with Jessica Coleman (BDN v5 # 30, 31, 33, 40, 48, 52; v6 #6, 7, 8, 35, 37, 38, 46, 48; v7 #13) and Suzanne Hobbs, a reporter for KPVI-TV in Idaho who was instrumental in passing that state’s SH law and later adopted a Baby Lili, a SH baby (BDN v5 #8, v5 #28). Warns that Oprah owns property in Hawai’i. Picture.
KGMB-TV, Honolulu, June 20, 2007
“Baby Safe Haven” bill awaits signing
http://kgmb9.com/kgmb/print.cfm?sid=1205&storyID=11763
HONOLULU–Claims HI has had 106 child abandonment cases in last 10.5 years–50 involved newborns. Does not mention that the media covered only 1 case–if this is true.
IOWA
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier, June 15, 2007
Commentary by Karris Golden: Faith communities can help promote, facilitate safe haven laws
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/06/15/opinions/on_faith/827ac01854e7ed90862572fa0067d8d2.txt
CEDAR FALLS–State will soon launch $55,000 SH promotion campaign. Believes that 8 SH cases in 6 years “hints at an alarming trend–a growing number of unwanted pregnancies ending in extreme crisis. ” Says “faith community” has the “power and influence to step in and offer solace and hope in this time of crisis.”
NEW JERSEY
Press of Atlantic City, June 15, 2007
Ventor woman sentenced to 7 years in death of newborn son
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/top_story/story/7485734p-7380779c.html
MAY’S LANDING–Update on Ashley Ray Eberson case (BDN v6 #28, 29, 31, 33; v6 #40). Eberson, who plead guilty in the spring to aggravated manslaughter in death of newborn son, sentenced to 7 years. Picture.
Campaign and Elections.com, June 14, 2007
Panel OK’s Quigley/Watson “Safe Haven Awareness Campaign”
http://campaignsandelections.com/nj/releases/index.cfm?ID=1217
JERSEY CITY–Press release on A 2837 which would require posters promoting SH to be placed in every publicly-accessible women’s restroom in colleges and universities across state, as well as restrooms accessible by girls aged 12 years and older in all pubic and private elementary and secondary schools.
OKLAHOMA
KSWO-TV, Lawton, June 15, 2007
Sentence cut for woman who let newborn die
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=6664911
OKLAHOMA– Update on Carla Quillen case (BDN v3 #10, 12; State Appeals Court reduces Quillen’s sentence; convicted in Dec. 2004 of 2nd degree murder and unlawful removal of the dead to child neglect. Now has 15 years to serve.
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia Daily News, June 15, 2007
Gave birth on toilet and left baby there
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/local/20070615_Gave_birth_on_toilet_and_left_baby_there.html
PHILADELPHIA–Unnamed woman in custody after newborn dies in bathroom after birth. Allegedly left baby in toilet for 2 hours before notifying police that “something was wrong with the baby.” Family says she denied pregnancy for months. Death listed “suspicious.” also see:
http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_165102736.html for review of case and comments
Earthtimes.com, June 15, 2007
PA Department of Public Welfare reminds new parents about “Safe Haven” law
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,123380.shtml
HARRISBURG–Reminder to “expectant parents and parents of newborns” about SH. “When a young woman is pregnant and not prepared for the responsibilities of parenthood often they are afraid and are unsure of where to turn for help. The Safe haven program provides a safe, legal and confidential option for them and their child.”
***CANADA***
NATIONAL
Safe Haven laws in Canada
Morriseys put up internet petition to bring SH to Canada
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/safehavencanada/
NEW BRUNSWICK
WCSH-TV, Portland ME, June 14, 2007
Family adopts abandoned baby moose
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/watercooler/article.aspx?storyid=63461
NEW BRUNSWICK–Family adopts, Baz, baby moose, abandoned by mother near their home. Dept. of Natural Resources says it will seize him and return him to the wild,. Currently Baz is living in the home.
***INTERNATIONAL***
AUSTRALIA
Melbourne News, June 14, 2007
Heartbreak for young mums
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21901305-24331,00.html
MELBOURNE–Feature on why women abandon newborns. “While there might been an overwhelming sense of ‘How could she?’, from a psychological point of view, I completely understand,” says adolescent psychologist, Michael Carr-Gregg. “Women who abandon their children are an almost psychological underclass. I think if you investigated, you’d find at least two out of three are suffering from post-natal depression. They would have an overwhelming sense of shame, an overwhelming sense of guilt over abandoning their daughter or son.” Foster parents should present abandonment as “act of love.” Amanda Gordon, president of the Aus. Psychological Society, says, “A woman who abandons her newborn is likely to be a woman who is very depressed. She has no sense of a future. She can’t see an alternative.”
Sydney Morning Herald, June 14,2007
Dead baby in shopping bag was a week old
PERTH–Update on recycling plant case (BDN v7 #24). Autopsy indicates baby was a week old, but cannot determine cause of death. More tests pending.
Sydney Daily Telegraph, June 15, 2007
Dumped baby swamped with gifts
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21910723-5006009,00.html
SYDNEY–Update on Baby Joan case (BDN v7 #23, 24). Public floods Baby Joan and hospital with gifts. Hospital asks that donations to hospital of children’s charities be considered. Perth News, June 15, 2007
Woman 55, “killed, dumped baby“
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21910452-948,00.html
PERTH–Unnamed woman, 55, charged with murder of newborn in 1969; appears in juvenile court since she was 17 at the time.
News.com, June 15, 2007
Why were babies dumped?
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21908770-5007146,00.html
SYDNEY– Baby abandonment cases are shocking because Aus. likes to think of itself as civilized and with enough support services to help a new mother before she gets to the point of abandonment. Abortion widely available as is Medicare-funded health care and publicly-funded welfare and maternal help services. Government-funded church groups with pro-life agenda may be pressuring women to continue pregnancies they don’t want; thus deliberating eroding “the right of women to choose what happens to their bodies. Wants more effective sex education.
AUSTRIA
Earthtimes.com, June 14, 2007
Austria arrests two over dead cellar babies
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/72672.html
VIENNA–Update on cellar case (BDN v7 #23). Unnamed woman, 54, and husband, 62 arrested; DNA tests indicated woman is mother of all three dead infants.
BRUNEI
BruneiDirect.com, June 16, 2007
Imams frown on errant lifestyles& baby dumping
http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/June07/160607/nite02.htm
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN–Imams across Brunei condemn “irresponsible youth” who lead “permissive lifestyles” that lead to teen pregnancy and baby abandonment. Gives stats on out-of-wedlock birth and births not “legally authenticated” and babies of “unknown status.”
ISRAEL
Haaretz, June 15. 2007
Born into darkness
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/871235.html
PETAH TIKVAH–Very long feature on work of volunteer NGO First Hug which works with abandoned babies.
JAMAICA
Radio Jamaica,, June 14, 2007
Another baby abandoned in 24 hours
http://www.radiojamaica.com/news/story.php?category=2&story=36877
ST MARY–3-day old boy in plastic bag found in Port Maria Hospital bathroom. In an earlier incident a 2-day old girl was found by man on the Exchange Main Road. Suspected mother located; may be of “unsound mind.” Picture.
JAPAN
Daily Yomiuri, June 17, 2007
Baby boy several months old abandoned in baby hatch
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070617TDY02009.htm
KUMAMOTO–Months old baby left in baby hatch in good condition. Hospital reports incident to police and local child consultation office. Will be reared in home for infants unless parents come forward.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia Star, June 16, 2007
Maid accused of killing baby
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/16/courts/18043945&sec=courts
KUALA LUMPUR–Indonesia maid, Unah Sumah, 27, accused of killing newborn and dumping body in rubbish bin, after employer files complaint.
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