Baby Dump News

BABY DUMP NEWS, November 14, 2007–V7 #46

November 14, 2007 – 8:34 am

BABY DUMP NEWS:

A WEEKLY E-CHRONICLE OF NEWBORN ABANDONMENT

INFANTICIDE,

SAFE HAVEN LEGISLATION

AND RELATED ISSUES

 

November 14, 2007–v7 #46

Distributed weekly by:

Marley Elizabeth Greiner, Executive Chair, Bastard Nation

maddogmarley@worldnet.att.net

 

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–Ashcraft bond reduced

PENNSYLVANIA–Baby left on doorstep

TEXAS–Baby Moses Law “confusing”

NEW ZEALAND–Abandoned baby crocs a growing problem

…and more!

 

THANKS: Donna

***STATES***

 

CALIFORNIA

KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, November 8, 2007

Bail reduced for student accused of killing baby

http://cbs2.com/local/local_story_312143601.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, 35, 36). Bail reduced from $200,000 to $50,000 due to charge reduction to involuntary manslaughter and child abuse. Recognizance motion denied.

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, November 8, 2007

Service planned for baby

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212091

LANCASTER–Update on Baby Mary Anne case (BDN v7 #39, 40, 45). Another review of case and scheduled funeral.

 

NBC10-TV, Philadelphia, November 9, 2007

Newborn found on suburban home’s doorstep

http://www.nbc10.com/news/14552529/detail.html

ABINGTON–Woman walking dog hears strange sounds and asks husband to investigate; newborn discovered on neighbor’s porch. Note with baby reads, “Can you please take [my baby] to the hospital…It’s not that I don’t love you. I just can’t take care of you…I love you.” Though he was left in 34 degree weather infant is in good health. Probably not born not in hospital. Picture.

 

WHP-TV, Harrisburg, November 13, 2007

Abandoned baby’s mother found

http://www.whptv.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=879b8900-09db-4b30-9cb1-f7dedd8a3582

ABINGTON–Mother described as teen, located. Police don’t plan to file charges. Baby in custody of Dauphin County CYS. Picture.

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

WIS-TV, Columbia, November 9, 2007

DSS spokesperson speaks about adoption of abandoned baby

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7338299

LEXINGTON COUNTY–Update on Baby Jane case (BDN v7 #42, 43). Baby placed with foster parents who are aware that child is abandoned, but not yet legally free for adoption Explains foster family selection process.

 

TEXAS

KFDM-TV, Dallas, November 9, 2007

Berry set to appear in court for leaving newborn in ant-filled ditch

http://www.kfdm.com/news/court_23381___article.html/berry_charge.html

BEAUMONT–Update on Kenisha Berry case (BDN v3 # 24, 25, 28, 34; v4 #5, 8.9; v7 #21; v7 #40). Berry convicted in 2004 of 1998 murder of newborn son returns to court to face charges in 2003 abandonment girl. Picture. Comments.

 

Cleburne Times Review, November 13, 2007

Abandoned baby given to grandparents

http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com/local/local_story_317181742.html

CLEBURNE–Woman who left baby with friend saying “I just can’t handle it anymore” on Saturday won’t face criminal charges. Friend told authorities that mother had been passing 1-2 month old baby off to friends earlier in day. Baby turned over to grandparents.

 

Houston Chronicle, November 14, 2007

CPS: Infant’s abandonment violated Baby Moses law

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5295897.html

KATY–Abandonment of baby left wrapped in towel outside Westlake fire station over weekend not in compliance with Baby Moses Law. 3rd baby abandoned in Houston are this year. Comments.

 

Houston Chronicle, November 14,2007

Recent case typical of confusion over Baby Moses Law

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5299439.html

HOUSTON–Few newborns abandoned in state meet BML criteria because they are left outdoors or aren’t taken to ERs or other SH drop-off points. Cites weekend Westlake fire station baby suffering from hypothermia. “Some people may think it’s close enough but you’re still leaving your newborn infant in danger by not making sure that someone will take care of that child immediately,” says Estella Olguin from Houston CPS. Westlake Fire Chief Mark Palmer surpirsed at rules. “I understood the Baby Moses Law was like the biblical sending Moses down the river.” Didn’t know personal handover was required. Police investigating Westlake case but undecided if charges will be filed.

 

Fort Bend Herald, November 14, 2007

Baby Moses Law often misunderstood

http://www.herald-coaster.com/articles/2007/11/14/news/news02.txt

ROSENBERG–Review of law. “Relinquishing parents” need to hand over baby in person to protect child and fill out optional information form.”This law provides parents with an option,”says Fort Bend County DA John F. Healey. “It gives them a safer way to leave a child without causing any harm.

 

Houston Chronicle, November 15, 2007

Mom convicted of lesser charge in baby’s death

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/5302806.html

BRYAN–Update on Susan Chiniewicz case BDN v 5 #41; v6 #15, 1, 17, 18; v 7 #7, 22, 45). Chiniewicz convicted of criminally negligent homicide; faces up to 2 years in jail.

 

***CANADA***

SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, November 6, 2007

Publication ban sought in Wal-Mart baby case

http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=747911f8-497f-4c54-ae15-02e345c2b8a1

PRINCE ALBERT–Update on Wal-Mart case (BDN v7 #21, 22, 35, 36, 38, 45). More on publication controversy. Star Phoenix and Prince Albert Daily Herald oppose ban; mother’s name is common knowledge in La Ronge.

 

***INTERNATIONAL***

 

INDIA

Express India, November 8, 2007

Abandoned child found near Mohall bus stand

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Abandoned-child-found-near-Mohali-bus-stand/237415/

MOHALL–Newborn boy found in bushes near bus stand; taken to hospital in good condition.

 

MALAWI

The Daily Times, November 9, 2007

Couple kills, dumps baby in toilet

http://www.dailytimes.bppmw.com/article.asp?ArticleID=7095

KARONGA–Mendamenda Blood Msiska, 32 and girlfriend Ndasimenye Simbeye, 24, arrested for murder; newborn daughter thrown in school toilet. Msiska, married to another woman and father of daughters reportedly “fed up with fathering daughters” and ordered Simbeye to get rid of baby. Village elders, surprised when baby disappeared, pressed mother and called police.

 

NEW ZEALAND

The New Zealand Herald, November 10, 2007

Abandoned pet crocs a growing problem

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10475120

DARWIN–Wildlife rangers dealing with increased number of abandoned pet crocodiles; found outside shopping centers, on golf courses, in suburban streets, and outdoor public pools. By law, after purchased crocs grow 60cm long owners are required to return them to pet shops or crocodile farms where they were purchased.