TERRIBLE DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22695, 6 April 1937, Page 9

TERRIBLE DEATH

TWO BABIES STARVED LEFT ALONE IN HOUSE ARREST OF THE PARENTS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 4 " These two mites died a death of which it is horrible to speak," said prosecuting counsel in a case to-day at Feltham, Middlesex, where a married couple, Percy and Lilian Davis, were charged with manslaughter of their two baby sons, aged three years and "19 months respectively. It was stated that after quarrels in which a separation was discussed, the husband left home for work and his wife packed up some clothes and put the children to bed. She left a note for her husband, saying not returning' . / The wife went to a married sister and later obtained work. The husband, after his day's work, took lodgings and did not return to his old home until 14 days later, when he found the children dead in a bedroom in which there were signs of disorder. By a coincidence the wife called at the house on the same day to see the children. When told they were dead, it is alleged, the wife said: "But you can live for 14 days without food, cannot you ?" The children had been, without food and water, and a post-mortem examination showed that they died from exhaustion due to starvation and neglect. Medical opinion was that the younger died after eight days and the elder on the following day. The couple will he tried at the Old Bailey.