INSANE MOTHER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 July 1924, Page 5

INSANE MOTHER

MURDER AND SUICIDE. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. (by TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.| AUCKLAND. July 28. An inquest was held to-day on Helena Harriet. D’Ath and her nine-year-oid son Harold, who was murdered by his mother, who later committed suicide. Dr. Richards deposed that he had attended Mrs D’Ath since June 7. She had not fully recovered from diphtheria. He attributed her condition to general debilty, and lie was not satisfied with her mental condition, although he did not think there was any cause for anxiety.-When suffering from delusions she complained that someone had administered strychnine in small doses, and on his advise a nurse was engaged. He instructed the nurse in the treatment of the patient, and mentioned that she was suffering from nervous trouble.

To the coroner, the witness said lie did not think there was any danger, and lie did not think her condition warranted her committal to an institution. He knew the deceased had attempted suicide on June 21 by cutting her wrist with a razor.

Florence Elizabeth Wallace, a registered nurse, stated that she was engaged by Mr D’Ath three weeks ago. She received instructions from the doctor, but was not fold that deceased was mentally afflicted or had attempted suicide. Neither the doctor nor Mr D’Ath asked her to keep the deceased under continual observation.

The nurse read a lefter by deceased, in which she said: “I cannot let my dear Harold suffer. I wish I could take them all with me.” A verdict was returned that deceased committed suicide while insane, and while in this condition killed her son Harold.