DEALS IN BABIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 166, 13 July 1907, Page 13

DEALS IN BABIES.

'■H4XDCUFF PBIXCE" AXD POLICE* CHAJtGES. A system of baby farming that has ramifications all over Britain, is alleged by the Liverpool police against Herbert Smith, alias Leo Selwyn, a music hall performer, described on the bills as "'The Handcuff Prince,"' and Lottie Roberts, a young female assistant. They were brought up on remand on Tuesday, May 28, at Liverpool, charged on suspicion with causing the death of the infant daughter of Lily Kitching, of Grimsby, and with having obtained £11 by false pretences from Kitching's mother. The prosecuting solicitor said that as the infant had been found at Lincoln he must withdraw the charge of causing its death. On the charge, however, of obtaining money by false pretences, he asked for a further remand, which was granted. According to the evidence of the police, who are now busy investigating various cases, the method of the prisoners was as follows:— They inserted ur newspapers in varions parts of the country this advertisement:— "A lady without encumbrance would take baby; good home: premium £15." When the baby was secured, another advertisement was inserted:—"Would kind lady take baby in perfect health: entire surrender; good home: wou'd give few pounds." The allegation is that having obtained the premium, the baby became a. real encumbrance, and was transferred by means of the second advertisement to another home at a smaller premium. After the girl Kitching handed her infant to a person alleged to be the female prisoner, along with £11, suspicion was aroused, and her mother proceeded to the address given in Liverpool to investigate. Finding it was merely a letter call office, she informed the police, with the result that the two prisoners were speedily arrested.