Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-07-11
Hailed To-. Court,
3Deny Guilt in
BdbyPIdlenents

How infants of unwed mothers
were allegedly sold into childless
homes for fees as high as $500 will
he told in Recorders Court on
July 10 when a physician and two
women face examination for plac-
ing babies without a license.
DR.. Samuel r. Kahn, "a. of l5247
Harper avenue: Mrs. Agnes Var
rows, AZ, of 1909 Webb avenue and
Miss Edna Lewis, AZ, Of 7739 John
r. street, are the three accused in
warrants which brought them
before Judge George Murphy yes
terday.
All three stood mute when ar
raigned but Benjamin Burdick. the
physicians attorney, said his client
would fight the case. The doctor,
according To Prosecutor William
K. Bowling. received fee of $500
for procuring baby for a Detroit
couple. Mrs. Yarrows received a
fee OF $500 for the adoption of an
infant in 1897, while Miss Lewis
received fees of $500 for two
babies i'm 1886 and 1888.
ABSOLUTELY INNOCENT"
Said Doctor Kahn:
IL am absolutely innocent"
George ParZen, attorney for the
two women said he may enter a
plea of nolle contendere for his
clients.
Said Parzen:
"My clients admit willingly
they have no license TO place
babies which ] understand il re-
quired under the statutes. But
there was no intent 10 eyade the
law. Ia do anything unlawful.
They were trying 10 help some
unfortunate girls"
The ordinance violation under
which the three are charged
carries a fine of 500. or 80 days
or both.
,sCALLED MISUNDERSTANDING
Mrs. Yarrows. well-known here
In Detroit. said,
Tho whole thing In n misun-
derstanding. 1 have been In social
work fur years. have aided both
unmarried and married mothers.
NV only aim was tn help the
girls get back on their feet with
out their families knowing OF
their trouble. without running
their regulations. Any sums l
received were for hospital eN-
penses, and 20 tide the mothers
over until they were able to
work after CONTINENT"
Mrs. Yarrows and Miss Lewis
are old friends
Said Miss Lewis
"If everyb body In Detroit
through the years had done a.
much 20 help humanity a. my
self and Mrs. Yarrows, this city
would he a better place To live
In"
EXPRESSES REGRETS
Mrs Yarrows said she regretted
che misunderstanding
"<1np one desire now II not In
harm, the babies. They all went
into good homes, some Of them
wealthy ones. I'm many instances
the friends OF the adopting par
ents do not know that the babies
are not their own. feel no
matter how much we suffer those
babies must not he disturbed
All the children placed by the
three accused. Bowling says, were
adopted through legal channels
after placement. Assistant Prose
cytor John Potter said his Office
vbuld not disturb the children.
sour interest In this ease IL
10 protect both helpless babies
and prospective parents" Dow
ling declared. I'VE will not, Of
course. upset the infants which
~ have In some Instances been In
foster homes for three or four
years"
Investigation Of the two womer
has been going on for SeNera
months when social agencies dis
covered that their names appeared
frequently in adoptions as the
placing agent Some time ago th'
two women were brought in 70
questioning and then released
The warrants on the ordinance
followed