A Child's Escape.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3970, 23 November 1891, Page 2

A Child's Escape.

Frances Sedrick, aged 11 years, was charged at the Edgware Petty Sessions with having absconded on the 18th September from St. Margaret's Catholic Industrial School, Mill-hill, Hendon. The police had taken her back, having found her making her way to Marylebone, wrapped in a blanket. Questioned by the Magistrate as to why "me attempted to run away, the child said she did not like the place, and therefore ran away. When taken back she was told that if she misbehaved herself again her mouth would be " strapped up." One of the sisters showed, her the woman who did the strapping up, and told her that the straps weie upstairs. The same s'ster took her to a room in which a coffin was standing, and pointing it out said she had a good mind to lock her in with it. The place was dark. After this had happened they took her to a room and put her to bed, and she was so terrified that she jumped out of the window and tried to reach her home. The manageress of the school said that no such punishment was administered. It was not within her knowledge that the children's mouths were strapped up as a punishment. The sister referred to by the child said it was true that she took her to a wardrobe which opened into the mortuary. There was a glass window in the centre door, and the child saw the shell. She at once withdrew with the child. It was totally untrue that any reference was made to the coffin. The prisoner asked not to be sent back. The Chairman said he was afraid the court had no power to interfere with the order of another court. The prisoner cried piteously, pleading not to be sent to Mill-hill. Mr Cox, one of the magistrates, ultimately advised an application to the Home Secretary for a modification of the order, and the Bench decided to send the child to the workhouse for a week assuring her that she would be well treated.