Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-01
AN ABANDONED CHILD.
A Case Judge Miller Thinks ShouIl
BE Investigated.

A neatly dressed colored woman, who
carried in her arms white male child.
TIN ee weeks old was the attractive feature
of case of abandonment called to the at
tenticn of Judge Miller today. Dr. T.
George Walls, a witness in the case knew
more about the birth and abandonment
than did any other Witness while Mrs.
Renner, wife of DIR. Cara told the court
the circumstances under which the child
was received a her lying-in hospital at No.
l6 4th street northeast. The case was
brought to the attention of the court on
petition to have the child turned over to
the board of children's guardians.
DIR. Walls declared that he knew nothing
Of the identity of the child's mother. Some
days previous to the Sth of last month he
said, a young woman about twenty-three
years old came to his Office and asked If he
would treat her at DIR. CZarra's place.
Mary Jane Stokes was the name the mother
gave him. The child was born on the Sth
of the month, and two days later the
mother declared her intention of leaving
the hospital. He was under the impression
that the young woman was not married,
and wanted to hide her shame, and so he
did what he thought was his duty in the
matter A carriage called at the hospital
and he went with her to the front of st.
Patrick's Church, and there he left her
The arrangement was that she was to meet
a lady there, and when he saw the lady i'm
black approach he left. Then he took the
the child was an orphan, and wanted her
to keep the boy until his grandparents N
California were heard from. The money
for the child's care he took out of his own
pocket. He did this because he feared the
child might die, and he did not want TO be
an accessory to a case Of infanticide
Mrs. Jones, the colored woman who has
cared for the child, was examined. but she
knew nothing Of the case, except that the
doctor had employed her.
Mrs. Renner said that the woman paid
her $40 for the room she occupied. She said
that she knew nothing of the childs
mother. and said that homes are provided
for children when it is desired.
Agent Parknan was examined. and after
telling Of the Inv nstigation of the case he
said the care of the child would cost about
$40 year for three years, and it would
be charge upon the District for eight or
nine years.
Judge Miller, commenting on the case
said he thought 1t was worthy of investga-
ton by the prosecuting attorney. These
lying-in aSylumS are premiums vice.
The court has nothing to do with the eff
forts Of the woman to hide her shame but
when the question of abandonment comes
in, then there should be something done
Judge Miller characterized the case as a
remarkable piece of business, and thought
the law should punish all persons connected
with 1t. The court said that the doctor had
been very frank in admitting how he had
assisted the woman to abandon her infant
The law, he said contemplated caring for
victims of poverty, and in this case there
is no evidence as to whether the child is
a victim of poverty or whether its parents
are able to make proper provision for its
care.
An order turning the child over to the
beard was made, and the case will be fur
Their Investigated by the agent of the board
of childrens guardians.