Tue, November 2, 2004
CALGARY -- Criminal charges have been laid against a Calgary teenage mom who allegedly put her healthy newborn out with the trash. The 15-year-old girl will appear in provincial court next week where she'll answer to charges of failing to provide the necessities of life and abandoning a child under 10 years of age.
"The charges are appropriate under the circumstances," said Det. Rene Lafreniere, who worked on the case.
The young mom had just finished her first day of high school when on the evening of Sept. 7, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy in her bedroom.
Police say she then wrapped the infant, whom she later named Bradon, in several towels and placed him in a garbage bag.
A passerby heard the baby's cries and alerted the authorities, who took him to hospital for treatment of a mild case of hypothermia.
The mother was also taken to hospital as a precaution.
The girl will appear in provincial court Nov. 8, as her family continues to pursue permanent custody of the child.
"The baby is still in the custody of social services, and (the family) is going through the process," Lafreniere said.
Provincial authorities still need to complete a full assessment on the family - consisting of the 15-year-old, two younger siblings and a single mom - to ensure the baby's best interests are served.