SAD FATE OF A BABY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19389, 26 July 1926, Page 12

SAD FATE OF A BABY.

KNIFE WOUND IN NECK.

THE RECENT SUMNER TRAGEDY. ACT OF DEMENTED MOTHER. [BI TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHKISTCHtJBOH. Sunday. The inquest concerning the tragic death of an infant, a few weeks old, at Sumner, about seven weeks ago, was resumed before Mr. H. A. Young, S.M., coroner, yesterday. Some time after the discovery of the baby's death the mother was found in the sea off tha esplanade in a state of collapse. Detective-Sergeant Young conducted the inquiry for the police and Mr. H. S. J. Goodman represented Mrs. Robinson, mother of the child. Mrs. -Robinson still remains under control, but it is expected that in a few months sho will again be normal.

Lewis Henry Robinson, aged 14 years, said that on May 30 he arose at 8.30 a.m. and went into mother's room. She was in bed and the baby was in the cot beside the bed. His mother said she did not feel well. Witness lighted the fire in the kitchen and later took his mother her breakfast. He took two forks and his mother asked for a big knife, which he obtained from the kitchen. His mother felt it with her finger to see if it was sharp, but said nothing. Discovery by Daughter. Witness then left the room, the baby being still in the cot. He had breakfast and a little later his sister took a cup of tea to his mother. On returning witness' sister said the baby was dead and their mother was away. Witness called his father, who went into the room. Mr. Goodman: Was your mother fond of the baby 1 Witness: Yes, she was very fond of the baby. George 0. Robinson, father of the infant, said that on May 30 he persuaded his wife to remain in bed, as she was not very well. She seemed anxious to get up and attend to the baby, but witness told her not to worry and to remain in bed. After dressing witness went to the kitchen, later returning to the bedroom to ask what his wife would like for breakfast. Fish was prepared and taken in by Lewis. Witness did not know his wife asked for a big knife. Later his daughter rushed in saying that the baby was dead and the mother was away. Witness hurried to the room. The bed clothes were in a heap on the bed and a bloodstainad tableknife was near the cot. Wife Found in the Sea. Witness sent for Dr. Slater and began to search for his® wife. Ultimately he found her -in the sea off the esplanade. He got her out and asked her what was wrong. She replied: "I have killed my baby. Ido not want to live," She said that twice on the beach and again twice at the house later.

Witness continued that his wife was taken home for attention. She had always been happy and gave no indication of mental trouble. The family was a very happy one. His wife had been worried because she had been unable to nurse the child.

Mr. Goodman: On the previous night your wife was restless and spent a restless night?— Yes, particularly in the early hours of the morning. Mr. Goodman: She was fond of the child?— Yes, particularly.' To the coroner witness said his wife was improving. The coroner said he had noticed a marked improvement in Mrs. Robinson. Detective-Sergeant Young said he went to Mr. Robinson's house at 10.45 a.m. on May 30, and found Mrs. Robinson in bed in a semi-conscious condition. Witness spoke to her, but she took no notice. He went to the front bedroom and found the baby with a deep incision in the neck. Witness took possession of the knife. He had Mrs. Robinson taken to hospital and the body of the child to the morgue. Mrs. Robinson's condition did not improve and on May 31 she was committed to the mental hospital, where she remained until July 12. On the latter date she was formally committed to the institution. She was still there. Evidence of Doctor.

Dr. P. Slater, of Sumner, said that at 9.15 a.m. he was called to Mr. Robinson's house. Mrs. Robinson was being put to bed. Witness examined her, but she looked in a vacant sort of way and said: "I've killed my baby." She was in a state of collapse. Two days before the occurrence Mrs. Robinson called on witness with regard to feeding the baby. Witness considered that on the Sunday morning Mrs. Robinson gave every indication of puerperal mania in a form which sometimes occurred after confinement. To Mr. Goodman witness said he again saw Mrs. Robinson at the mental hospital when his earlier opinion was confirmed. The coroner returned a verdict that the child had died from hemorrhage, following a wound in the neck inflicted by the mother while insane. Mr. Young also expressed sympathy with Mr. and Mrs. Robinson concerning the ordeal through which they had had to go. ' v