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What would drive a mother to do this?

By SHAUNA ANDERSON

Alicia Marie Englert

 

Warning: This post deals with distressing issues surrounding alleged maternal filicide and may be upsetting for some readers.

The sound coming from the garbage bin was cat-like.

Like a kitten meowing for its mother.

When concerned neighbours went to retrieve what they assumed as a kitten they were stunned to find a baby, just two days old, dumped into the suburban bin.

The baby’s mother has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

In the US, the Salt Lake City suburb of Kearns is in shock after 23-year-old Alicia Marie Englert dumped her newborn baby in the bin, telling police she “hoped the newborn girl would die in the trash and solve her problems.”

AP reports that the 23-year-old had hidden the pregnancy from her parents and had given birth in secret.

Between the time of her birth and when she was discovered by the concerned neighbours the baby had received no care at all – not a drop of breast milk or formula or even any water.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports the baby is fighting for her life in intensive care.

The home and bins where the baby was dumped.

Police Sgt. Ken Hansen told the newspaper: “She’s still critical today and she likely will remain in that condition for at least the next few days.”

He said it would be this weekend before doctors know if she will survive.

The baby’s mother Alicia Englert had gone to work on the day the baby was discovered, just two days after giving birth, and was arrested by police on her return.

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The Salt Lake Tribune reports her probable cause statement said that she admitted to having the baby the day prior. She also admitted to not providing any medical care or food for the baby and that she was afraid to tell her parents about her pregnancy.

In a press conference, officials reminded residents that under Utah law, mothers are allowed to drop off newborns at hospitals without consequence.

In Pennsylvania, another mother faces being sentenced to the death penalty after she was arrested last year for criminal homicide after allegedly stuffing her newborn baby’s body in a toilet at a bar where she was watching a wrestling match.

Amanda Hein could face the death penalty.

Prosecutors allege Amanda Hein, 27, suffocated her baby boy by wrapping him in a plastic bag before hiding him in the toilet.

She was at the bar with three friends when she excused herself to go to the toilet.

It is alleged that for 40 minutes she gave birth in the toilet before returning to her drink, her clothing covered in blood. She refused to tell anyone what occurred or why she had blood stains.

Cleaners found the baby’s body the next day in the cistern.

The Daily Mail reports that this woman’s family also had no knowledge she was pregnant. Under Pennsylvania law she could face the death penalty.

Today our thoughts are with the newborn baby battling for her life in a Utah hospital.

 

If you need help please phone Lifeline on 13  11 14.

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