CHILD S BODY DUG UP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 483, 21 September 1909, Page 2

CHILD S BODY DUG UP.

Auckland, Sept. 20. An inquiry into the circumstances of the death of a male infant whose remains were found by Mr Jervis Wright, of Epsom, on September sth, buried in his garden, was resumed to-day by Mr Gresham (Coroner). Jervis Wright, ironmonger’s assistant, living at Claude Road, Epsom, who found the infant’s body while hoeing in his garden, said that Isabel Siuclaire, who was alleged to be the mother, entered his employ about July 19, as companion to Mrs Wright. They noticed nothing peculiar about her condition. However, a day or two later, she complained of feeling unwell, and went away for a couple of days. On Sunday, September 5, while hoeing in the garden, witness discovered the body of the infant. He acquainted Miss Sinclaire’s father. Detective Cox stated that on September 13 Detective Sweeney and he interviewed Isabel Sinclaire at Mt. Albert, and took down a statement to the effect that on August 11 she gave birth to a male child. It was born dead, and next day she buried it in the garden. The medical evidence was to the effect that the child had breathed, and that there were wounds on the body that seemed to have been caused by a sharp-pointed instrument. The jury were unanimously of opinion that the child had lived, but were unable to determine whether its death was caused through culpable neglect or ignorance.