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Concealment of birth – a crime or an emotional reaction to women who do not conform?
Emma Milne – [email protected] University of Essex
+The law
Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (24 and 25 Vict. c100, s.60).
History
Elements
+Cases
Caroline Concealed four still born infants for over
20 years.
Led a "chaotic and dysfunctional" lifestyle following a divorce in the mid-1980s.
Had a number of sexual relationships over the period.
Concealed the pregnancies because she was ashamed and she did not believe in abortion.
Amanda Police called to the house she shares
with her parents following the stillbirth of a baby.
Arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to conceal the birth of a child
Post-mortem examination inconclusive.
Sally Did not know she was pregnant until she
gave birth – baby life-less upon birth.
Left the body by a river, where it was later found by a walker.
The baby suffered several injuries including a fractured skull and collarbone.
Initially a murder investigation, but that enquiry was dropped.
Mary Feared her parent’s reaction if they
discovered she was pregnant.
Sought medical assistance during pregnancy, but never advised about the pregnancy.
Gave birth alone in her house. Allowed the baby to die and dumped the body in a nearby garden.
+An emotional reaction?
Discovery of a body
Hidden pregnancy
Private birth
Rejection of motherhood
Rejection of femininity
