Police: Woman Left Baby In Wal-Mart Toilet
POSTED: 9:40 pm PDT August 16, 2005
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MACON, Ga. -- A Georgia woman was charged with leaving her newborn baby in a Wal-Mart bathroom toilet, covered in trash and tissue paper.
The child -- found by Wal-Mart employees Sunday -- survived.
According to a police report, a customer started CPR until a fire department worker arrived and revived the baby. The child was hospitalized in serious condition.
Witnesses were able to identify the woman who was believed to be the mother and she was found at her home. Diane Shorter was jailed on charges of aggravated assault and cruelty to a child.
Posted on Tue, Aug. 16, 2005
Article from Macon.com:
Wal-Mart infant's mom faces charges
By Julie Hubbard TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER
rashida
Where to find support
Some Macon agencies that provide support for expectant mothers:
• Elizabeth Home Ministries, a Macon maternity and teen parent home operated at the Hephizibah Children's Home, 477-3383.
• Mother and Child Ministries Inc., a ministry operated by Macon's three
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office says it expects to file charges against the mother suspected of giving birth Sunday in a Wal-Mart bathroom and then leaving the baby stuck in a toilet.
Capt. David Davis, spokesman for the Bibb County Sheriff's Office said Monday that "some (charges) will be filed." He would not comment on what those charges might be.
Officials have not released the name of the mother, saying only that she is from Crawford County, in her mid-20s and has other children.
The mother is undergoing treatment at The Medical Center of Central Georgia and will likely face charges after being released from the hospital, Davis said.
The baby - a black female likely born full-term - was in serious condition Monday night at the Medical Center. The state Department of Family and Children Services has stepped in to the case, Davis said.
According to the sheriff's report, the baby was placed in the toilet for several minutes and found about 12:30 p.m. Sunday by three associates at the Wal-Mart on 6020 Harrison Road in Macon.
A store manager said the baby was covered in trash and toilet paper.
An associate pulled the baby out and put her in a sink, and a customer started CPR until a Macon Fire Department worker arrived and revived the baby, the report said.
Witnesses identified the mother, who was not at the store when officers arrived and was later found at her Crawford County home.