Police to release video of mother who abandoned baby in Wal-Mart

wind2000 · May 24, 2007

Canadian Press

May 24, 2007 at 2:47 AM EDT

PRINCE ALBERT, SASK. — Prince Albert police say they will release video images of a woman who abandoned her newborn baby in a Wal-Mart bathroom in the hopes of identifying her.

The surveillance footage, which will be released Thursday, shows the mother entering the store and later exiting after giving birth, according to a police news release.

The baby boy was found in a store bathroom Monday afternoon by a customer. Wal-Mart staff worked to resuscitate him until an ambulance could take him to hospital.

The baby remained in hospital in serious but stable condition Wednesday.

Police say the mother's welfare is their main concern, and that no decision has been made on whether to lay charges.

“It's still very early in the investigation, and we only have what little information that we've been able to provide to you,” said Sgt. Rhonda Meakin. “Until we have all the information, and the whole story, we can't even begin to look at that yet.”

Several factors could play into whether charges are laid, said criminal lawyer Kris Eggum.

“Depending on where the child was found in the washroom — if it was on the floor, then maybe they would look at it better than if the child were found somewhere else in a more dangerous position,” he said.

The boy is currently in custody of Child and Family Services.

The department's policy is to try to keep children with family members, although if a suitable home can't be found, an abandoned child would be placed in foster care, said regional manager Yvonne Skrudland.

Linda Nosbush, with the National Council for Early Child Development, said the mother may have felt she had no other option for her child.

“Obviously, this young woman and her young child did fall between the cracks of our support systems within Prince Albert,” she told CTV Regina.

“There are an amazing number of very, very helpful people and outreach workers that are available for support. But, obviously, this is a sign to us that we need to be more accessible.”

Funding has recently been secured to hire an outreach worker to help young mothers in the obstetrics unit of Prince Albert's Victoria Hospital, said Ms. Nosbush.

This is the second case involving an abandoned baby in Saskatchewan this year.

In February, a newborn was found on the back step of a Saskatoon home in frigid temperatures.

While the mother in that case was found by police, she was never charged.

Saskatchewan Justice Minister Frank Quesnel said Tuesday the cases may mean the government should look for ways of doing things differently or better when it comes to abandoned babies.

Don Morgan, justice critic for the Saskatchewan Party, said the province must make sure that expectant mothers have options.

“That's one thing we've failed on as a province in the past,” he said. “There are options that are available now that people haven't availed themselves of. We have to do a better job of public awareness.”
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Is there no end to human stupidity?!? >.<

Maverick · May 24, 2007

When does the stupidity stop?

apollon · May 24, 2007

and some ppl thought this was a stupid idea --

http://www.dramasian.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15700&highlight=baby+drop

ralliart · May 25, 2007

^ Guess not.......

SugaCutie0 · May 25, 2007

The mother wasnt charged for neglect or anything?? Thats insane. I'm glad the baby from Walmart is in stable condition now, I hope he'll be 100% okay..

Police to release video of mother who abandoned baby in Wal-Mart

wind2000 Self Schemata

Maverick Lord Vader

apollon Well-Known Member

ralliart Well-Known Member

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