A CHILD’S DEATH

Otago Witness, Issue 3526, 11 October 1921, Page 22

A CHILD’S DEATH

YOUNG WOMAN CHITRGED WITH MURDER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) QUEENSTOWN, October 7. An inquest was concluded on Wednesday last before Mr 1). F. Sutherland, J.P., acting coroner, touching the death of an illegitimate female child born at Lower Shot-ovc-r on September 10 last. The mother of the child, who was employed in domestic service, had concealed her pregnancy up till the time of the birth. When the child was born no skilled assistance was immediately available, and owing to ibis, and sus- ! pinions circumstances which vote afterwards ] detected by the medical man in attond- | ance, it was deemed necessary to hold an . inquiry. j Constable M’Mahon, of Arrowtown, took i up the case, and evidence was given by the ; mistress of the gill (who was the only other ! occupant of the house at the time of the birth), the girl herself, Constable M‘Mahon, and Dr Anderson. The latter’s evidence indicated that (he child, which was fully developed, lived for four hours after birth, but there had been bruising about the child’s neck caused by finger marks, and it was bleeding from the mouth. In his opinion death was due to suffocation caused by the bruises on the throat, possibly done by the mother in her efforts to conceal (he birth. The mother of the child, in her evidence, i stated that she told no one of her state i except the father. Fhe did not make any t provision for the arrival of the baby, nor I did she consult a doctor. She denied touch--1 mg the child oil the face or throat, i Attaching most importance to the evii dence of Dr Anderson, the coroner i brought in a verdict that the ' child died from suffocation, caused by bruises on its throat, which were inflicted In it' mother, who was guilty of culpable i horn cide. ; Detective Carroll conducted the inquiry for the police, and Mr Wesley Turton watched the case in the interests of the mother. The girl was put under arrest, and came ] before justices at Arrowtown on Wednesday last, and was formally charged with the murder of the child. She was remanded to Invercargill, where it is understood the police will make application for a further remand before the magistrate here on October 25.