BABY DUMP NEWS, August 29, 2007–v7 #35
August 29, 2007 – 9:19 am
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
August 29, 2007–v7 #35
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
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READ: The Daily Bastardette, safe haven and adoption commentary,
http://bastardette.blogspot.com and www.myspace.com/maddogmarley
STILL CATCHING UP!
***THIS WEEK***
ALABAMA–Marsha Gossett Colby trial starts
CALIFORNIA–Another round for Holly Ashcraft
FLORIDA–Teen leaves 8-month old at fire station
MISSOURI–Newborn rescued from McDonald’s toilet
SASKATCHEWAN–Wal-mart mom charged
FRANCE–Remains of 3 newborns found
….and more!
***STATES***
ALABAMA
Mobile Press Register, August 23, 2007
Mother on trial in death of baby
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/118786104097990.xml&coll=3
BAY MINETTE–Update on Marsha Gossett Colby case (BDN v5 #7, 9, 11, 26; v6 #15, 19, 21). After 2 days of jury selection, trial begins. Prosecution tells jury it will offer evidence that newborn Timothy was born alive to a lying “cocaine-using, poverty-stricken woman” who already had 6 children….At some time in this woman’s pregnancy she decided her baby had to die, so she wouldn’t be inconvenienced, so she wouldn’t get in trouble with (the Department of Human Resources) and law enforcement She made a decision and chose death for her child. Defense says it won’t waste jury’s time or “insult their intelligence” by trying to prove that Colby acted responsibility Urges jury instead to focus on hard faces of case not “circumstantial evidence” of her character or possible motives.
Mobile Press-Register, August 25, 2007
Judge threatens to jail husband
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1188033345154490.xml&coll=3
BAY MINETTE–Judge threatens to throw Colby’s common-law husband Glenn Brewer in jail for duration of trial after jurors complain of forced contact with him. One says he followed her during a break, repeating, “Lord Lord, please open these people’s eyes.” Another claimed he showed up at McDonald’s during lunch and “spoke loudly” within an earshot of him. Both prosecutor and defense have warned Brewer to stay away from witnesses. Judge says after trial he might punish Brewer if claims of “improper and impermissible contact” have merit.
Mobile Press-Register, August 25, 2007
Jury sees photos of infant’s body
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1188033587154490.xml&coll=3
BAY MINETTE–Prosecutors argue that Timothy wasn’t 1st of Colby’s children to prove positive for coke at birth; son, now 7, born premature tested positive. Pictures of body shown on large screen projector; defense objects that they were “cumulative and inflammatory.”
Mobile Press-Register, August 27, 2009
Colby prosecutors could finish presentations today
http://blog.al.com/live/2007/08/colby_prosecutors_could_finish.html
BAY MINETTE–Prosecution ready to wind-down case. Orange Beach police Lt. Steve Brown testifies that Colby told him Timothy was born with a “dent or deformity” on his head. Defense admits that baby tested positive for coke, but claims he was stillborn.
Mobile Press-Register, August 28, 2007
Doctor: Dead baby could have lived
http://www.al.com/news/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/news/1188293144281810.xml&coll=3
BAY MINETTE–ME tells jury that “a constellation of findings” led her to believe baby took at least one breath. Says mothers are usually the culprits in neonaticide cases.
Mobile Press-Register, August 28, 2007
Witness says infant may have been stillborn
http://blog.al.com/live/2007/08/witness_says_infant_may_have_b.html
MOBILE–Dr. Werner Spitz, Michigan forensic pathologist, testifies that although there is a good chance the baby was born alive, there’s a better chance it was stillborn. Says there is lack of evidence to prove neonaticide, even if child was born alive.
CALIFORNIA
KNBC-TV, August 22, 2009
Detective claims USC student dumped two babies in trash
http://www.knbc.com/news/13952008/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, 10-11, 13, 23, 34). LAPD detective testifies in new prelim that Ashcraft disposed of an allegedly stillborn baby from a previous pregnancy in a similar manner in which she’s accused in current case. Remains never found. Hearing continued when defense attorney Mark Geragos says he hasn’t received additional coroner’s reports.
Visalia Times- Delta, August 26, 2997
Story Chat: Tragedy of child’s death not unique to Orosi
http://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070825/OPINION03/708250331
SANTA MARIA–Letter by Maricela Lupercio linking Orosi abandonments to abortion. Comments.
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, August 27, 2007
Abandoned newborn found in Santa Maria alley
http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=6990416
SANTA MARIA–Newborn girl, believed to be Hispanic and described as “healthy,” found in alley.
KSBY-TV, August 27, 2007
Reaction to the abandoned newborn in Santa Maria and the Safely Surrendered Baby law
http://www.ksby.com/Global/story.asp?S=6993373
SANTA MARIA–Review of previous local abandonment cases (2006 stillborn abandonment BDN V7 #1; 2005: baby left in stranger’s car BDN v5 #1); and 2004 stillborn abandonment. Neighbors shocked and disgusted. 182 reported SH cases and another 145 illegally abandoned in state. Pictures.
Firefighting News, August 28, 2007
City unveils safe surrender sites at fire station
http://www.firefightingnews.com/article-US.cfm?articleID=36890
PORTERVILLE–SH signs go up at Porterville fire stations. “This not only provides a safe haven for the child but also an opportunity for the mothers who are not able financially or emotionally to support a baby.” says Councilman Eddie Hernandez. “They know they can come here and not have to worry about abandoning a child.”
FLORIDA
Tampa Bay 10, August 23, 2007
No regrets for Mom
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=61763
LAKELAND–Update on “anonymous” case (BDN V7 #31). “Anonymous” woman who gave birth at work and walked mile to fire station and then talked to press at time of incident, tells Tampa Bay News 10 that she has no regrets. Says she loves baby but knows she did “what as best for her.” Now living in homeless shelter. Comments.
Orlando Sentinel, August 29, 2007
8-month old baby left at Apopka fire station
(paid archives)
APOPKA–17-year old mother drops off 8-month old girl with diapers and food, at Apopka fire station. Baby reported to be healthy and in clean clothing. Name of mother not released. Sheriff investigating. Orange and Duval counties rank third in state with 7 SH cases each; 4 others left in unsafe locations, the highest number in Central Florida.
WFTV-TV, Orlando, August 29, 2007
Mother, 17, sought after leaving baby at fire station
http://www.wftv.com/news/14000511/detail.html
APOPKA–Police search for mother; interviews with her family don’t match story she gave firefighters. Siblings say she was not kicked out of house as she claimed. Glen Casel from Community-Based Care of Seminole, a private contractor for DCF says mother did right thing to “ensure her baby will be safe” but mom should have called 211 hotline.
ILLINOIS
Chicago Heights Star, August 23, 2007
Dead baby found in closet
http://www.starnewspapers.com/chicagoheights/news/520954,231ch3.article
CHICAGO HEIGHTS–Police investigating death of newborn boy whose body was found in closet of unnamed woman, 26. Family members informed authorities.
LOUISIANA
New Orleans City Business, August 10, 2007
Help or hindrance
http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/viewStory.cfm?recID=19845
NEW ORLEANS–6 SH cases in state since 2001. Adam Pertman from EBD says that the state, by promising anon through SH, endorses abandonment. “It gives cogent young women another option and not one society typically would suggest: ‘Please abandon your child.’ It’s a wonderful resolution to unplanned pregnancy and that’s not what it’s meant to be. It’s meant to be an alternative for a child in real danger. The assumption is that kids who wind up in Safe Haven are in mortal danger, but there are no indicators that the women who put them there would have otherwise hurt those kids”. Ann Alvarez, a licensed clinical social worker in NOLA says SH denies children access to their family’s medical history and identity and denies parental rights of the biological father. Doesn’t want to see SH law go away, but wants adoption pushed as a public health issue.
MASSACHUSETTS
BLOG: The Transracial Korean Adoptee Nexus, August 22, 2007
Boston creates “Baby Save Haven” for Children
http://kadnexus.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/boston-creates-baby-safe-havens-for-children/
Blog by a Korean TRA questioning Mass. SH law with a comment from he Morriseys who argue, “Your rhetoric is ‘disgraceful’.”
Danville (NJ) Post Chronicle, August 27, 2007
Baby boa abandoned in booze bag
http://www.postchronicle.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=29&num=100222
BOSTON–Baby Columbian red-tailed boa, Velvet, SH with police at St. Anthony’s fest. Handed over in purple velvet Crown Royal.
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor News, August 25, 2007
Dead baby’s identity remains a mystery; body found behind motel in March
http://www.mlive.com/news/annarbornews/index.ssf?/base/news-24/1188025109176440.xml&coll=2
ANN ARBOR–Update on motel baby case (BDN v7 #12, 13, 14, 15), Review of case, All leads checked out; DNA tests next step. Officials hesitant to dispose of remains but will soon be forced to if no one claims body.
Detroit Free Press, August 27, 2007
Parents of dead baby found in trash bin to be charged
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070827/NEWS02/70827054/0/NEWS01
LIVONIA–Police expected to charge parents with murder in newborn’s death. Woman told police that she is mother of dead newborn found at apartment complex. Autopsy indicates baby was strangled at birth. Comments.
Detroit Free Press, August 28, 2007
Mother of newborn found in Livonia charged with murder
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070828/NEWS02/70828039/0/NEWS06
LIVONIA–Rebecca Katherine Horeczy, 28, charged with 1st degree murder after newborn son found dead of strangulation in trash bin at apartment complex. Also charged with 2nd degree murder and 1st degree child abuse. Horeczy has 2 other children now in custody of relatives. Picture.
MISSOURI
UPI, August 28, 2007
Baby rescued from toilet
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/08/29/newborn_rescued_from_toilet/5335/
KANSAS CITY–Ambulance called to assist McDonald’s employee, 20 in labor at a workplace; baby found face down in toilet bowl. Mother says she tried to flush baby 3 times but it wouldn’t go down. Claims she didn’t know she was pregnant, but investigators say she told friends she was pregnant. Baby revived and is in critical condition.
NEBRASKA
Omaha World-Herald, August 26, 2007
Nebraska working to create newborn safe haven law
(no longer available)
OMAHA–SH pusher Sen. Arnie Strutman says he’ll continue fight for SH enactment and that it will eventually pass. Has reworked original bill. Mike Morrisey quoted, “Massachusetts averages two or three abandoned infants per year going back 30 years. That has not changed since the law was adopted…The only difference is that we have a higher rate of infant survival.” Claims medical histories can be obtained from dumpers. Dawn Geras from IL’s Save Abandoned Babies Foundation claims that putative father registries protect fathers’ rights. Article claims, “”no birthparent has sought the return of an abandoned child in a state that has a safe haven law” Geras says, “Not once since 1999 when the first law was enacted has there been a case of aparents coming back to claim the baby. Typically if a parent is going to change their mind that happens immediately.” Sen. Ernie Chambers says he will continue to oppose SH bill, which he calls a “knee-jerk reaction” to isolated incidents. Alaska Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux says she expects SH to be signed early next year in her state.
OHIO
Wooster Daily-Record, August 29, 2007
Hospital preferred safe haven; Leaders plan to educate and set up hotline number
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/2454871
WOOSTER–Wayne County law enforcement officials and medical community meet to initiate plans to educate public on SH. Wooster Community Hospital leaders launch plans for publicity campaign; agree with police to dedicate a hospital phone line for a 24/7 SH hotline; considering bathroom advertisement campaign. CS Exe. Director Randy Muth says despite age guidelines all children will be accepted.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Myrtle Beach online, August 26, 2007
Jury still out on Daniel’s Law
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/columnists/issac_bailey/story/169104.html
MYRTLE BEACH–Adam Pertman quoted, “The real problem is that there’s no way of knowing whether the haven abandonments were really kids in danger. And the research/evidence/experience is that those babies would have wound up safe somewhere without these laws. 8 SH cases in SC and 13 unsafe abandonments. On July 6, 2006 a mother SH newborn with coke in system to Carolina Medical Center in Gaffney; regained custody after completing comprehensive DSS-monitored treatment plan. (BDN v6 #28).
TEXAS
My Fox, Houston, August 22, 2007
Abandoned baby left at Houston fire station
HOUSTON–Fire fighters find newborn boy outside station after receiving call from alleged mother telling them she had left him. CPS says it’s the first Baby Moses case for 2007 (note: even though there was no one-on-one turnover)
My Fox, Houston, August 23, 2007
CPS seek custody of newborn left at fire station
HOUSTON–CPS seeks custody of baby left at fire station; hopes to place baby in adoptive home in next 2 days.
***CANADA***
ONTARIO
Halifax News, August 28, 2007
Mummified baby will be given name, proper burial
http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=57761&sc=89
TORONTO Update on mummified baby case (BDN v7 #31). Remains of baby found mummified beneath flooring of Victorian home will be buried in public ceremony. Workman found body wrapped in floral blanket and newspaper dated Sept. 15, 1925. Has been named Baby Kintyre after street on which home is located.Baby Lief, (BDN v7 #14) whose partially decomposed body was found near Thunder Bay will be buried on Oct. 12. Elgin Mills Cemetery in Richmond Hill, Ont. has donated 9 spaces for abandoned babies and can provide as many as 30 graves.
SASKATCHEWAN
Prince Albert Daily Herald, August 29, 2007
Mother charged with abandoning baby
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?sid=58257&sc=4
PRINCE ALBERT–Update on Wal-mart baby case (BDN v7 #21, 22). Unidentified woman, 21, charged with abandonment. No details. Comments.
***INTERNATIONAL***
FRANCE
International Herald-Tribune, August 23, 2007
French woman in custody after police find bodies of three newborns at her home
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/23/europe/EU-GEN-France-Dead-Babies.php
PARIS–Unidentified woman, 36, taken into custody by police in French Alps after bodies of 3 newborns found hidden in her home. “Former romantic partner” discovered bodies and reported them to authorities. Babies believed to have been born between 2001-2006.
PORTUGAL
The Resident, August 23, 2007
Newborn body found at Algarve beach
http://portugalresident.com/portugalresident/showstory.asp?ID=20825
ALGARVE–Body of newborn in plastic bag found on beach. Body may have been on beach awhile since area isn’t accessible when tide is in and visitors must walk over cliffs to get there.
SCOTLAND
BBC Radio Scotland. August 27, 2007
Foundling rejects “baby hatch” call
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/6966007.stm
GRANGEMOUTH–Ian Hogg, 39, goes with BBC correspondent to former public toilet where he was abandoned at the age of 2 days. Jimena Martini, from Germany’s Stern Park Foundation also appears on the show to push her Baby Hatch scheme. Hogg objects. “It’s made to sound as if it’s a natural thing and I tend to disagree with that. There should be more support for women who are going to have babies, rather than to say okay if you can’t cope with it you can always put a baby in a hatch.” Picture.
SOUTH AFRICA
iol.com, August 26, 2007
“I remember him crying, then he went quiet”
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20070826110544850C679158
WESTVILLE–Prison interview with “Faith Gumede,” 23, jailed for 8 years for killing newborn whom she dumped in a blocked school toilet bowl. Says she, her mother, and 6-year old daughter were physically abused by her alcoholic stepfather. Became pregnant in 2004 by unemployed boyfriend and was afraid to tell family. Unaware that her pregnancy was so far along, she went into labor during 11th grade economics exam and gave birth in school bathroom. “I looked at the baby, but didn’t know what to do with him. I remember him crying for awhile, and then he went quiet.” Although she was on good terms with the baby’s father, she’s broken up with him; studying accounting, economics, business, isiZulu, English and computers in prison. Wants to join police force upon release but is barred from doing so due to criminal record.
THAILAND
Bangkok Nation, August 26, 2007
Hospital toughens screening as more infants abandoned
http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/26/national/national_30046529.php
BANGKOK–Officials clamp down on newborn hospital abandonments; most abandoners are young and attending school or university. 53 abandoned babies placed with local or foreign foster parents this year.
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