BABY DUMP NEWS, September 26,2007–v7 #39
September 26, 2007 – 9:06 am
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
September 26, 2007–v7 #39
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 and www.myspace.com/maddogmarley
***THIS WEEK***
CALIFORNIA–Mother who left abandoned baby in church turns self in
MARYLAND–Christy Freeman considers suit against county
MINNESOTA–Couple charged in murder of newborn
NEBRASKA–City of Lincoln urged to adopt SH law
INDIA–Couple marry; reclaim abandoned newborn
….and more!
***STATES***
CALIFORNIA
ABC 7, Los Angeles, September 19, 2007
Surveillance shots of woman abandoning baby at church released
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5665786
ANAHEIM–Update on St. Boniface Church case (BDN v7 #38). Pictures released; police believe abandoner mistakenly thought church was SH location.
Orange County Register, September 21, 2007
Mother of baby in Anaheim turns self in
http://www.ocregister.com/news/anaheim-woman-police-1849849-reporter-martinez
ANAHEIM– Unnamed woman 20, turns self in to Anaheim police after seeing images of herself in Spanish language newspaper Azteca America and having lengthy discussion with reporter. Told reporter she is from Puebla, Mexico and had no idea she was pregnant when she made a long trek by foot to cross the border.
San Diego Union-Tribune, September 26, 2007
Woman receives three-year sentence in death of her newborn
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070926-1156-bn26ledesma.html
VISTA–Update on Edith Ledesma case (BDN v6 #2, 30; v7 #28. Ledesma sentenced to 3 years. Due to time served in county jail she’ll probably be in prison less than a year. Comments.
KNSD-TV, San Diego, September 26, 2007
Judge sentences mom in death of newborn
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/14213075/detail.html
VISTA–Picture.
MARYLAND
Associated Press, nd
Mom cleared in dead fetuses case may sue
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hSQAFMU2s_FN5N4W54ShWCEVF5Bg
SNOW HILL–Update on Christy Freeman case (BDN v7 #31, 32, 33, 36, 38). Freeman says she’s considering suing county for jumping to conclusions before medical records were submitted. Her lawyer says not only was Freeman wrongfully accused of murder, but that the classic car taxi service she and her boyfriend, Ray Godman operate, has suffered damage due to accusations and media attention. Charges ME says there was no way to prove the fetuses found in and around Freeman’s home were ever alive. Freeman has history of stillborn births; tobacco and coke use. Prosecutor says he’s willing to entertain additional evidence but currently is not considering additional charges. Believes Maryland needs a law to force women who have stillbirths to “dispose of them properly.” A picture of Freeman is at http://www.wmdt.com/topstory/topstory.asp?id=2915
WorldNet Daily, September 25, 2007
No charges for dead babies
http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57801
Joe Farah goes off on decision to drop charges on Freeman; refers to fetuses as “victims: and calls decision “Welcome to the world after Roe v Wade.” Says media hasn’t covered case since America “tolerate[s[ this national crime, the shame, the national sin known as abortion on demand.” Complains that if they were stillborns that it will be nothing more than ” a health code violation, thanks to Roe v Wade.”
MICHIGAN
Waterford Spinal Column, September 26, 2007
State law, program allows parents to surrender their newborns into safety net
WATERFORD–Long article on MI SH law. Law expanded last year to permit 911 pick-up service. Only cooperating private adoption agencies can accept SH babies; but if abuse or neglect is suspected CPS will take over and conduct investigation Hospitals make choice of which agency to call. 52 SH cases reported. 10 cases in Oakland County. Most seem to have been born in hospitals and then “surrendered.” “The Safe Delivery law should replace releasing a child under the Michigan adoption code. Surrendering a child is not a good adoption plan,” says Jean Hoffman, SDL consultant.
MINNESOTA
Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 20, 2007
Charges filed in newborn’s death; body never found
http://www.startribune.com/467/story/1435680.html
BURNSVILLE–Samantha A. Heiges, 21 and Erik R. Matlock 22 charged in May 2005 alleged murder of their newborn daughter. Body is probably in landfill but would be impossible to locate. Heiges tells police that she hid pregnancy and Matlock threatened to kill her and baby unless she killed the it. Says after she drowned her, Matlock put body in shoebox and 2 days later tossed it down laundry chute. Matlock admits he fathered the baby but claims he never saw her. Says Heiges gave birth alone and wouldn’t tell him what happened to baby; denies threats. After Heiges moved out of Matlock’s apartment she told new boyfriend about murder saying she threw baby down chute, contradicting later story; boyfriend reported story to police. DNA traces of Heiges, Matlock and baby found in bathroom. Heiges held on $300,000 bond charged with 2nd degree murder and 1st degree manslaughter; Matlock held on $250,00 bond charged with aiding an offender.
This Week, September 21, 2007
Mom allegedly drowned newborn
http://www.thisweek-online.com/2007/September/21b-infant.html
BURNSVILLE–Similar to above story but with other details. Heiges discussed her pregnancy, abortion and adoption with college friend. Later when friend asked about baby Heiges said, “Not so good.”
NEBRASKA
Action 3 News, Omaha, September 25, 2007
Lincoln calls for state safe haven law
http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=7125814&nav=menu550_2
LINCOLN—-Lincoln city officials draft resolution urging legislature to pass SH law; public hearing expected on Oct. 5.
Action 3 News, Lincoln, September 25, 2007
Lincoln mayor supports safe haven law
http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=7126064&nav=menu550_2
Mayor Chris Beutler, former state senator supports SH resolution. Hopefully, the enactment of a baby safe haven law will help ;prevent these situations and allow us to find loving guardians for these children.
Sioux City (IA) Journal, September 26, 2007
Lincoln calls for state safe haven law
LINCOLN–More on Lincoln SH proposal. “On balance, I believe it’s better to have a law than not to have a law,” says Mayor Chris Beutler. Fire and police officials say they would accept any baby left with them, but Councilwoman Chris Eschliman says that wouldn’t stop the state from filing abandonment charges against parents. “If you are a mom or a mom to be in a desperate situation, please give your baby one last chance at life. You do need to understand, though, that we are working on this issue, there is no immunity from the state at this time if you abandon your baby. Comments.
WOWT-TV, Omaha, September 26, 2007
Mom who abandoned baby wants him back
http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/10055786.html
OMAHA–Update on Montana Sanwick case (BDN v7 #36, 37, 38). Baby, now named Evan Joshua Sanwick placed with maternal grandmother; has visitation rights and sees him about 6 hours every day. . Will probably regain custody. Sanwick believes she and baby’s father, together for 4 years, will marry when Evan’s returned.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
United Press International, September 20, 2007
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2007/09/20/mummified_baby_to_be_buried/1127/
CONCORD–Update on Peavey mummy case (BDN v6 #18, 23). Charles Peavey says he will bury mummified heirloom stillborn because he can’t afford DNA testing; plans no appeal.
OHIO
Wooster Daily Record, September 25, 2007
Lisa’s safe have: Baby left at hospital finds loving home in arms of adoptive family
http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/2594632
WOOSTER–Update on Wooster SH baby now known as Lisa (BDN v6 #43-44, 51). Review of Oct. 17 case; update on Lisa’s life a year later. Adopted by couple with whom she was placed after 8 days in the hospital. Unnamed parents call birthmother “brave.” “My wish would be more people would do this,” says father. “She (birthmother) loved her enough to give her up.” Picture. Comments.
PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 19, 2007
Student allegedly researched abortion before killing baby
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07262/818752-100.stm
BUFFALO–Update on Teri Rhodes case (BDN v7 #36). Police report that Rhodes hid pregnancy from friends and volleyball teammates and recently researched the ‘net about abortion topics. Passed sports physical 2 days before birth that cleared her to play volleyball; following day assistant coach asked her to get pregnancy test. Gave birth after volleyball practice
Chronicle of Higher Education, September 19, 2007
Former athlete at Mercyhurst College charged with killing her newborn baby
Comments.
WHP-TV, Harrisburg September 25, 2007
Shocking discovery
http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=4f7957d5-04d3-4e43-8e03-42b1cfbc40a9
LANCASTER–Pedestrian reports strong smell from trash bin behind YMCA; body of presumed newborn discovered. SH bassinet drop-off at Lancaster General Hospital only a few blocks away. Autopsy pending. Picture.
WHP-TV, Harrisburg, September 25, 2007
Safe Haven success
http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=c12f6077-317b-427b-b7f1-dcf600e4b12e
HARRISBURG–5 SH cases since law went into effect. Babies taken to Adams County and Blair County hospitals in August; another dropped off at a Clearfield County hospital in Feb. First since 2003 when mother left baby at a York County hospital. Twins were taken to a Washington County Children and Youth office, which is not considered a SH, but the incident is treated as a SH.
Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, September 26, 2007
Body of infant girl reveals little
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/209958
LANCASTER–Autopsy determines baby’s gender, but little else; body was probably placed in garbage bin in last week. More tests pending. Police ask public and mother to come forward. Believe mother is young, inexperienced and immature and had help in disposal of child. Unclear what charges would be filed against mother if located. Picture.
***INTERNATIONAL***
ENGLAND
The Scotsman, September 22, 2007
“Cat in distress” turned out to be abandoned newborn baby
http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1516232007
LIVERPOOL–Newborn, wrapped in towels and placed inside bag, discovered in garden after couple thought the noise in their garden was a cat. Nurses at Liverpool Women’s Hospital name him, Baby Zack after the Fazakerley district of Liverpool where he was found. Police concerned about mother and want to reunite her with baby. “Clearly this little boy needs his mum” says Spt. Colin Leeman. Authorities reviewing surveillance tape of area for clues. Comments.
Liverpool Echo, September 25, 2007
All baby Zack needs is his mum
LIVERPOOL–Zack continues to get round-the clock care from 4 nurses at hospital neo-nate unit. Feeding well and healthy. “It must have been a very frightening thing for her to have to do, to deliver such big baby without a midwife of a doctor,” says Trish Dunmore, unit manager.
FIJI
Fiji Times, September 20, 2007
Baby Ruth remains unclaimed
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=70931
SUVA–Update on Baby Ruth case (BDN v7 #38). Baby still unclaimed, staff looking for mother.
INDIA
Indian Express, September 26, 2007
ANJAR–Manju and Govardhan Singh, parents of baby abandoned at birth in public toilet marry with moral and financial help of couple who planned to adopt their baby. Manjur, 20, was a child widow, married off at age of 6 and widowed at 10 and forbidden by community from remarrying.
MALAYSIA
Kota Kinabalu Daily Express, September 22, 2007
Pre-mature baby among rubbish
http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=52850
KOTA KINABALU–City Hall worker finds remains of premature baby in rubbish pile at dump.
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