MANSLAUGHTER

Evening Star, Issue 18808, 5 December 1924, Page 9

MANSLAUGHTER

A MOTHER CONVICTED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. HOBART, December 5. (Received December 5, at 8.45 n.m.) Airs Weils was found guilty of the manslaughter of her child, which died allegedly as the result of neglect. The judge ordered her to be detained during the Governor’s pleasure. [The committal of a widow (Mrs Wells) on a charge of the manslaughter of her child brought- to light, startling details. One child, aged two and a-half years, was brought to tho hospital dead, and a second child, aged six, subsequently died. According to the medical evidence at the inquest. tile younger child was allegedly in a. terribly neglected condition. -It’was swarming with vermin. Death was duo to blood poisoning result In g from neglect and filth. The second child's death was due- to acute neuritis. The body was covered with a rash from (lie lutes of vermin. Both children were well nourished, there being no sign of starvation. Tim mother, who had been in receipt of help from the charitable department, gave evidence that she had seven children, and was too poor to get a doctor. The coroner in delivering Ins verdict said: “The whole community is responsible for these children’s deaths. It reflects on us all that such conditions should be allowed to exist. Wo are our brothers’ keepers, but here are brothers wo have not kept. The law, however, provides that the responsibility must be borne by a particular individual.]