BABY DUMP NEWS, October 3, 2007–v7 #40
October 3, 2007 – 9:03 am
BABY DUMP NEWS:
A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT
INFANTICIDE,
SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION
AND RELATED ISSUES
October 3, 2007–v7 #40
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
***ANNOUNCEMENT***
I am attending the Association for the Study of Adoption, Identity, and Kinship conference at Pitt next week directly followed by presenting at the Ethica/ EB Donaldson Ethics and Accountability conference in Virginia. BDN will undoubtedly off schedule again.
***THIS WEEK***
MARYLAND–Christy Freeman may sue local officials; Bill O’Reilly alleviates
NEBRASKA–Grandparents get custody
VERMONT–1st SH is a boarder baby
ONTARIO–82 year old Baby Kintyre buried
SCOTLAND–Jogger finds newborn body on bike path
…and more
***STATES***
CALIFORNIA
San Diego Union-Tribune, September 27, 2007
Judge agonizes over just sentence for mother in death of newborn son
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070927-9999-1mc27ledesma.html
VISTA–Update on Edith Ledesma case (BDN v6 #2, 30; v7 #28, 39) Feature on Judge Timothy Casserly’s “open struggle” in court during sentencing. Originally charged with murder, Ledesma pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter in July. Casserly had options from probation to 11 years in prison. Said it was inexcusable that defenseless baby was killed, but also considered Ledesma’s situation as a mother of 3 children struggling on her salary at Taco Bell with an absentee (children’s) drug-addicted father. Ledesma was afraid that her long-time boyfriend Armando Dias, who had undergone a vasectomy but missed post-surgery follow-up appointments, would accuse her of having affair. (DNA determined he was father). Ledesma lost 7 pints of blood, went into shock after birth, and underwent surgery. 3 children in care of Ledesma’s parents and Dias. Picture. Comments.
COLORADO
Denver Channel.com, October 2, 2007
Teen pleads guilty in newborn’s entertainment center death
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14253473/detail.html
GRAND JUNCTION–Update on Cheyenne Corbett case (BDN v6 # 31, 32, 33; v7 #1, 9, 36). Corbett, 18 pleads guilty to child abuse resulting in death; earlier withdrew not guilty plea to 1st degree murder. Sentencing scheduled for Dec. 14; faces 16-48 years.
MARYLAND
WMDT-TV, Salisbury, September 236, 2007
Joel Todd discussed on The O’Reilly Factor
http://www.wmdt.com/topstory/topstory.asp?id=2923
SALISBURY–Update on Christy Freeman case (BDN v7 #31, 32, 33, 36, 38, 39). Bill O’Reilly weighs in on case; says he thinks prosecutors are wrong. “I think they’ve got a good argument this is a third term abortion of a viable fetus…Four times, which is not legal in Maryland.” Video.
Ocean City Dispatch, September 27, 2007
Questions remain week after Freeman let go
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php?cid=30&id=1494
OCEAN CITY–Review of Christy Freeman case and response of community.For many case has moved from sensational murder trial to a philosophical debate about the rights of the unborn and a mother’s right to terminate a pregnancy either naturally or intentionally. Turns on MD law which exempts from prosecution a mother who causes the death of her unborn child. Forensic psychiatrist and filicide and neonaticide expert Dr. Neil Kaye says he thought case would have been more appropriately handled by social services and not the courts. “Get rid of the media and the sensationalism and there really isn’t much of a case,” he says. ” Unless people want vengeance for the sake of vengeance, an increasingly popular conservative American value, these things don’t belong in the legal system.” Fox News legal analyst Megyn Kelly and Bill O’Reilly disagree arguing prosecutor Joel Todd had an obligation to make Freeman a test case for MD law, despite the findings of the medical examiner.
Ocean City Dispatch, September 28, 2007
An interview with Ray Godman
http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php?cid=30&id=1491
OCEAN CITY–Interview with Freeman’s boyfriend Ray Godman. Says local lawyers have refused to take case because they have to work with local law enforcement every day and don’t want problems, but everyone they approached referred couple to out-of-town lawyers. Couple has retained a Baltimore lawyer and are considering as many as 8 suits; wants to get it into federal court. Claims Freeman’s confession was forced, “After 12 hours of interrogation Christy told them ‘I’ll say anything you want to hear as longer as you leave Ray and the kids alone. If you want me to say it died in the toilet, then I’ll say it died in the toilet’ But everybody took that out of context. All they heard was, ‘it died in the toilet’”. Picture.
The Annapolis Capital, October 3, 2007
Teen gets 2 years for killing newborn
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/10_03-28/TOP
ARNOLD–Update on Megan Patria case (BDN v5 #50; v6 #7, 19; v7 #5, 7. 30, 32). Patria, now 19, tried as a juvenile in the 2005 killing of newborn, sentenced to youth facility. Judge hasn’t decided yet which facility to send her to or how long she should be jailed, but she can only be held until she is 21. MD has limited and dilapidated juvenile detentions centers, and she may be sent out of state. Currently on community detention, (house arrest). Judge criticizes Patria’s mother who contacted high school administrators a month before the birth to complain that students were spreading pregnancy rumors; says those actions “further enabled” Patria’s denial.
NEBRASKA
KETV-TV, Omaha, September 26, 2007
Mother talks after parents get custody of baby
http://www.ketv.com/newsarchive/14209855/detail.html
OMAHA–Update on Montana Sanwick case (BDN v7 #36, 37, 38, 39). Sanwick tells KETV that she “didn’t want to leave him (baby) at the hospital in the first place.” She stood in the bathroom with him for 20-25 minutes before walking out. Worried about what parents would say. Parents and baby’s temp foster mother supportive. “SH is “something a lot of young mothers could utilize” Sanwick says. Picture.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
WMUR-TV, Concord, September 28, 2007
DNA sample taken from mummified baby
http://www.wmur.com/news/14230910/detail.html
CONCORD–Update on Peavy mummy case ((BDN v6 #18, 23, 39). Court rules that mummified baby cannot remain with Charles Peavey unless he can prove he’s related. Boston Paternity, a DNA testing company, volunteers to do test on mummy for free, since Peavey can’t afford it . “I feel overwhelmed, scared and excited at the same time,” Peavey says. “If they don’t find a match or they can’t prove that he’s ours, what was great uncle John doing with a dead baby?”
NEW JERSEY
Tri-Town News, September 2, 2007
Grant helps get word out about Safe Haven program
http://tritown.gmnews.com/news/2007/0927/Front_Page/027.html
OCEAN COUNTY–OC DHS and Center for Kids and Family at Community Medical Center in Toms River receive second $10,000 grant from state promote SH. First grant enabled training for 12 people to conduct educational and informational sessions throughout county. Printed materials were also provided to chambers of commerce, supermarkets, businesses and libraries. New grant will provide additional education training for businesses and community agencies; additional materials for health fairs the establishment of community working groups to maintain SH outreach.
Jersey Journal, September 27, 2007
“Abandoned baby” note deemed a hoax
http://www.nj.com/hudsoncountynow/index.ssf/2007/09/abandoned_baby_note_deemed_a_h.html
JERSEY CITY–Anon. note left on a door claiming that the writer had just left a baby in Arlington Park. Police find no evidence of baby and deem note a hoax.
PENNSYLVANIA
Lancaster New Era, September 27, 2007
A neighborhood mourns
http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/210057
LANCASTER–Update on YMCA dumpster case (BDN v7 #39). Long feature; review of case and reaction of neighborhood where dead infant was found. Many believe mother is from neighborhood or nearby. Many quotes. Pictures. Comments.
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 28, 2007
Mom faces trial in baby’s death; Newborn found in trunk of car
UPPER DARBY–Update on Mia Sardella case (BDN v7 #4, 5, 8, 10-11, 21, 22). At prelim Sardella’s mother Stephanie Leone testifies for prosecution about discovery of baby’s body in trunk of daughter’s car. Grandfather Albert E. Piscopo, CEO of Glenmede Trust Co, an elite Philly-based investment firm, also called as prosecution witness. Testified after told of discovery he cancelled the day’s appointment and went to Drexel U where Sardella was a student to talk to her. Piscopo, in tears, says Sardella insisted she didn’t now she was pregnant; told him baby was born dead. Defense attorney Arthur Donato, Jr. argues that prosecutors don’t offer enough evidence to prove baby was born alive or that Sardella’s actions led to baby’s death. Prosecution submitted autopsy findings from ME who declared baby was born alive and viable and that death was caused due to “asphyxiation by another.” Pictures at http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_270143833.html
TEXAS
Beaumont Enterprise, September 27, 2007
Court wont’ review mother’s sentence
BEAUMONT–Update on Kenisha Berry case (BDN v3 # 24, 25, 28, 34; v4 #5, 8.9; v7 #21). State’s motion to revisit commutation of Berry’s death sentence denied. Convicted of Feb. 2004 death of Baby Malachi, found bound and gagged with duct tape in trash bin. Abandoned another baby that survived. Picture.
VERMONT
Barre Montpelier Times Argus, October 12, 2007
“Baby safe haven” law had had first use
http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071001/NEWS01/710010401/1002/NEWS01
MONTPELIER–First SH case recorded in spring; just now announced. State officials refuse to release details. Baby was born at unnamed hospital and left by mother “after realizing she couldn’t take care of it.” Placed in temporary foster care and later will go to adoptive home. Earlier in year another mother reportedly considered SH, but reconsidered. As for reunification, mothers “can get in touch with adoption registry and inform officials they are willing to be contacted by the child they put up for adoption. Then the child can–with the registry acting as intermediary to protect the identity of those who don’t want to be contacted–get in touch with birth parents.”
***INTERNATIONAL***
CANADA
Toronto Town Crier, October 2, 2007
Infant laid to rest 82 years after death
TORONTO–Update on Baby Kintyre case (BDN v7 #31, 35). Baby, wrapped in 1925 newspapers and found under floorboards of home will be buried on Oct. 12 at Elgin Mills Cemetery as part of a new program to give dignity to abandoned and unidentified children sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness. Simple Alternative Funeral home is providing service and reception while cemetery management has provided 9 free plots for unidentified babies. Will be joint funeral for Baby Leif. (BDN v7 #14, 35)) .
***INTERNATIONNAL***
EMIRATES
Gulf News, October 2, 2007
Woman who dumped baby in bin loses final appeal
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/10/02/10157533.html
DUBAI–Update on MK case (BDN v7 #15, 20, 23, 28, 34). MK loses last appeal, must serve 3-years.
ENGLAND
Liverpool Echo, September 27, 2007
Baby Zack goes to foster parents
LIVERPOOL–Update on Baby Zack case (BDN v7 #39). Zack released to foster family; police carry out another door-to-door inquiry. Merseyside police supt. Colin Leenman says, “This little boy needs his mum. I am very concerned about her wellbeing. I appeal to her to come forward so we can do what’s best for her and her baby.”
Liverpool Daily Post, October 1, 2007
Police continue search for baby Zack’s mum
LIVERPOOL–Police appeal to mother to come forward, promise “she can expect support and understanding of what she has gone through.” Midwives and nurses “pop in” all day to see him. Picture.
FIJI
Fiji Times, October 4, 2007
Baby Ruth in Welfare’s hands
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=71724
SUVA Update on Baby Ruth case (BDN v7 #38, 39) Ruth handed over to the Social Welfare Dept which will care for her until her mother is located or a home is found for her Many people want to adopt her. She will not be sent to children’s home, but will remain in hospital care.
MALAWI
The Daily Times, September 29, 2007
Girl, 15, in for baby dumping, infanticide
http://www.dailytimes.bppmw.com/article.asp?ArticleID=6655
NDIRANDE, BLANTYRE–Unnamed girl, 15, arrested for dumping newborn in pit latrine about 10 days after hospital birth. Told her best friend that baby had died and was buried infant’s graveyard; friend became suspicious and pressed her for explanation. Landlord overhears argument and calls police..
NAMIBIA
All Africa.com/The Namabian, September 28, 2007
Namabia baby dumping baffles NA
http://allafrica.com/stories/200709280611.html
WINDHOEK–National Assembly ponders increase in baby abandonment. Elma Dienda of the Congress of Democrats opposition party discusses her own teen pregnancy; wants to combat stigma of unwed pregnancy and see research done on motives for abandonment. Proposes that parents support their daughter, not reject them. “Comfort your daughters in that situation and don’t reject them.” Suggests that places of safety” should be established for pregnant girls kicked out of their homes; clinics and hospitals should have follow-up services.
SCOTLAND
ITN, September 27, 2007
Dead baby girl found on cycle path
http://itn.co.uk/news/34f2a5d8414b5bf9ab57c733eaf41d19.html
PORT GLASGOW–Jogger finds remains of infant in bag on cycle path. No cause of death determined yet. Police concerned about mother. Picture.
The Scotsman, September 28, 2007
“Poor” response over dead baby find
http://news.scotsman.com/glasgow.cfm?id=1556332007&format=print
PORT GLASGOW–No leads in case; police remain concerned about health of mother.
BBC News, October 2, 2007
Police in dead baby funeral plea
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7024382.stm
GLASGOW PORT–Police “extremely concerned” about mother. Picture.
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.