The Sun. — 1854-09-08 (London, England)

THE MURDER OF AN INFANT BY ITS MOTHER.  Yesterday afternoon, Jane Harlington, the wife of a carpenter's labourer, residing at 5, Harrow-street, Mint, Southwark, was brought before Mr. A'Beckett, at the Southwark Police-court, for further examination, charged with wilfully administering a deleterious drug to her male infant, 17 weeks old, with intent to destroy its  life. When placed in the dock yesterday she seemed extremely weak, and quite unconscious of the serious charge pending against her. Mr. Binns appeared to defend. Mr. A'Beckett (to Sergeant Golding.)—Have you anything to state to-day as to the condition of the infant whom the prisoner is charged with administerieg poison to? Sergeant Golding.—l have, sir. I attended the workhouse of St. George's, Southwark, this morning, and saw the child dead. The medical gentleman who attended it is present, and can give evidence as to the cause of death.  Mr. winista Rendle, surgeon, Bridge-house-place, Newington-causeway, was then sworn. lie said—l am medical officer for the parish of St. George's, Southwark, and on Tuesday afternoon a child was brought to my surgery in a dying state. I administered restoratives to it, and it partially recovered, when I ordered its instant removal to the workhouse.  Mr. A'Beckett—Have you attended it since? Mr. Rendle—Yes, sir, and it died this morning. There were no hopes of its recovery after I first administered the restorative at my own surgery. Mr. A'Beckett—What was the cause of death ?  Mr. Rendle—The child's death was apparently caused by some laudanum being administered to it. • The infant was in a very emaciated state, and as soon as I saw it I was positive it could not live long. Mr. A'Beckett—Do you know that laudanum was the drug administered to the deceased ? Mr. Rendle—l do, sir. Mr. A'Beckett—Did you see the prisoner when you first had the child brought to you ? Mr. Rendle—Yes, sir, and I said to her, " Mrs. Har. rington, I fear you have poisoned the child." Mr. A'Beckett—Did she make any answer to that question ? Mr. Rendle—Yes. She replied, " I have given it some soothing stuff to send it to sleep, and I think I have mistook the bottle, and given it what I intended for myself." I asked her what she intended for herself, when she replied, " I could not sleep at night after my confinement, so I sent for something by a woman to send me to sleep." Mr. A'Beckett—Did she say anythinc, else ? Mr. Rendle—Yes ; I asked her whate she sent for. She said, " Laudanum, and only to sleep me ?" Mr. A'Beckett—Did she tell you what she got it in ?  Mr. Rendle—Yes. I produce a bottle which she said ,he laudanum was fetched in, and since then it had conained wine.  Mr. A'Beckett—Where did this last conversation take place ? Mr. Rendle—ln her lodgings, No. 5, Harrow-street, in the presence of the serjeant. Mr. A'Beckett—Did she say how much laudanum she had given to her child ? Mr. Rendle—All she told me was that she drained the bottle. She said nothing about the quantity. Mr. A'Beckett—How did she appear when this conversation was going on ? Mr. Rendle—Half stupified and stolid ; also quite indifferent as to everything around her. When I told hor, however, that she had poisoned her child, she exclaimed, " I hope not," and cried very much. Mr. A'Beckett—Did you attend her in her confinement ?  Mr. Rendle—l did not, but my assistant did by order of the parish authorities. She was very low indeed. Mr. A'Beckett—Have you made an examination of the infant ?  Mr. Rendle—No, I have not, but I shall make a post-mortem examination prior to the inquest. Mr. A'Beckett—Have you anything more to say at present Mr. Rendle—l have not. Mr. Binas—Did she not say the child would not be quiet and that she could not pacify it ? Mr. Rendle—Yes,•l think she did, but I had a great deal of trouble to get any explanation from her. Mr. A'Beckett asked when the inquest would be held ?  Serjeant Golding replied—On Friday or Saturday, but I have all the witnesses in court now.  Mr. A'Beckett—l think I have heard enough to remand her until after the inquest, therefore she will be brought up for final examination on Monday next. The prisoner, who seemed in a very weak state, was then removed to Horsemonger-lane gaol.