Girl Hid Dead Baby in Bedroom

Written by Angela Gooch on May 1st, 2008 in Human Interest.

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GIRL HID DEAD BABY IN BEDROOM, INQUEST TOLD

AFTER giving birth to a baby in her bedroom, unknown to her parents downstairs, a 20-year-old girl put its dead body in a carrier bag and hid it behind her dressing table, a Skegness inquest was told on Friday.
The police found it there after she had visited a doctor, who discovered she had had a baby and questioned her about it.
The baby girl was born to Janet Sandra Clements of 26 Cecil Avenue, (pictured left) on Sunday 9 July, and an inquest was opened and adjourned a few days later.
At the resumed inquest, the coroner, Mr Ian Mitchell-Smith, heard evidence from Janet’s mother, Mrs Jean Clements, Dr Maurice Fox and Det Sgt James Sutherland.
A report on the post mortem examination stated that death had been caused by asphyxia neonatorum. The baby was of normal development with no congenital. disease and had had a short separate existence.
Dr Allan Usher, who carried out the post mortem, said in a written report that it must have been a very difficult delivery fora girl doing it herself for the first time.
NOT CERTAIN
“Had medical aid been available to clear the airways, cut the umbilical cord and maintain warmth, it is likely, but not certain, that this infant would have survived.” he said.
Det Sgt Sutherland said he interviewed Miss Clements in hospital that evening in the presence of a policewoman.
She said it had been a natural pregnancy and she had not done anything or taken anything to terminate it.
The sergeant commented “She must have been in great difficulties. She was by herself having a terribly difficult birth, and I doubt if she could remember very clearly.”