When I was in Scotland last year, a local case on the news was that of a newborn baby girl found dead near the River Alne near Stratford in Warwickshire. I’m not completely sure why this story grabbed my attention. Sadly, stories of premature deaths of infants and toddlers are not rare, but this one struck me. I know my own daughter can be trying - very, very trying - but still, dump her body in a river just boggles the mind [Ed: apparently, she was stillborn.]. The authorities named the baby Lilly.
Back in December, a woman was arrested and subsequently bailed over the matter. Then, on March 7th, 2007, the woman was charged for concealing a birth regarding the baby.
I’m not sure if any justice system can actually bring justice for this. I suspect that the mother’s guilt will be its own justice, regardless of whether or not there’s prison time. And perhaps they’ll find the father and figure out what his role in this has been, if any. There’s nothing really to be done for this tragedy, sadly, but bring some measure of closure to it. But I do hope that this will finally bring some closure to things.
Update: The woman has now appeared in court and has been named / photographed, although I’m a bit hesitant to post all that here. Once someone gets the tag of child killer it doesn’t come off, even if it turns out that they’re innocent, so I’ll leave the naming until after the verdict. This being said, let’s hope the British justice system gets to it!
Update 3/30/07: The woman, Rachael Davies, has pleaded guilty to concealment of a birth, but no murder charges were filed.
Update 4/1/07: Minor editing to this article, as it’s getting linked to and there are some things upon re-reading that don’t convey what I wanted to say.
Update 4/28/07: Sentencing scheduled for June 15th (was June 27th).
Update 8/17/07: After numerous delays, Rachael Davies has been sentenced to two years probation. From the Stratford Observer:
A JUDGE has sentenced the mother of a newborn found dumped in the River Alne to two years’ probation.
Rachel Davies, 26, of Wharrage Road, Alcester, had admitted at a hearing ahead of today’s sentencing at Warwick Crown Court to a charge of concealment of birth.
She said she had no idea she was pregnant until she went into labour one night in the home she shared with her parents. She told the court she gave birth whilst alone in the kitchen and panicked when the child, later named Baby Lilly by police, appeared lifeless.
Davies, who worked at Mothercare in Leamington at the time, put the baby’s body in her car overnight before calling work the next morning to say she was going to be late. She drove to Great Alne where she dumped Lilly in a plastic bag in the River Alne just off Wood Lane, sometime between January and May last year
A 13-year-old boy out walking with his family on May 11 2006 discovered the body along with blood-stained clothes and towels also in the bag.
Lilly had suffered significant injuries including a fractured skull and Warwickshire Police launched a murder inquiry. It was later discontinued when further evidence came to light suggesting the newborn had been stillborn.
More than six months later Davies was traced through Lilly’s father. She initially denied any involvement but DNA proved she was the baby’s mother.
And so, finally, closure to this tragic matter.