Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-08-10
AbANDONS BABE
BORN IN WOODS
Admits Being Mother of In
FAINT Found Less Than
Day Old.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
CLARENDON, Va, August 10.-Less
than day old. an abandoned baby
boy weighing ten pounds was found
in ravine in the woods about half
mile north Of the community building
at Bancroft, Va, yesterday afternoon
about o'clock by Thomas j., jr.. and
Basil De Lashmutt. sons OF Thomas j.
De Iashmutt, chairman OF the county
board of supervisors.
The mystery surrounding the in
FAINT, which when found was in per
that it was covered with flies. which
probably would have done IL great
injury had the discovery been delayed,
was cleared up an hour or two later
when Sheriff A. c. Clements and his
deputy. z. o. Hines, went to the home
about 800 yards away, and arrested
Miss Ethel Melton, sister of Mrs.
O'Bannon. who confessed as being the
mother of the child.
Admits being Mother.
When the officers arrived at the
house they were met in the yard by
Miss Motions sister and brother-ln-
ing OF the babe. A waist, skirt and
sheet found near the infant were
shown 10 MIR. and Mrs. OBannon. who
identified them az belonging 10 MISS
Melton When questioned regarding
the physical condition and actions of
Miss Melton during the past few days
both Mr. O'Bannon and his wife said
that they had not noticed anything
unusual in her condition and AFFAIRS
except that she had complained of not
feeling well. and that she had LEFT the
house near midnight Wednesday.
ari l)aDNty
entered the house to find Miss Melton
at the sink, apparently none the
worse for her experience, washing
supper dishes. She was Immediately
told by the officers of their suspi-
cions and frankly, though tearfully
admitted everything.
No Medical Attention.
According TO the officers. Miss
Melton said that the baby was born
shortly after her departure from the
O'Bannon home about midnight Ned
nesday, without assistance, medical
or otherwise, having been rendered
She declared. according 10 Sherin
Clements, that the father of the baby
had refused to marry her and she
did not know what 70 do. Inc name
Of tho latter was revealed TO the
Sheriff, bat is being withheld. Miss
Melton. according TO Sheriff Clements
is twenty-five years of age. attractive
Of face and nea, In appearance.
The De Lashmutt boys are survey
ors by profession, and at the time OF
their discovery were surveying land
preliminary to the opening of new
subdivision. in that section of Bar
croft. They were attracted TO the
scene BY cries of the infant. Going
TO a nearby telephone. the brothers
made known their find to Or. j. W
Cox. county health officer. who. With
Deputy Sheriff Hines. went 70 Bar
croft TO bring the child back to the
courthouse. Arriving there the babe
was washed. a function that was
badly needed. and dressed by Mrs. X
\. Rudisill. county nurse, and Mrs
r. y. Sutton. member of the county
child welfare board, and later taken
by the latter to Georgetown CniEer-
sity Hospital for temporary keeping
Miss Melton was sent TO Alexandra
Hospital for treatment.
Sheriff Hunts Woman
Thes sheriff stated today that he
doubts the statement of Miss Melton
that the baby was born without as
sistsnce. and will continue his in
yestigation of the phase of the case
until he is absolutely certain one
wav or the other. woman about
fftv wears of age. carrying a basket
troWel and blanket. the sherlff says
ives seen near the scene of the birth
by the De Lashmutt brothers. "hc
questioned her as TO the location OF
her home. Instead of replying. she
is said to have pointed in a northerly
direction. where there are no houses
for miles.