Woman Pleads Guilty – Baby Abandoned on Beach

Extracted from the Nation Newspaper

THE MOTHER of the new born baby, who was left abandoned at Fitts Village Beach St James, last Saturday, pleaded guilty to the offence when she appeared in the Holetown Magistrate Court yesterday.

Dressed in a black jacket and skirt, 21 year-old Alisa Katrina Ellis of Crusher Site Road, Prospect St James, simply said "guilty" when Magistrate Ian Weekes read the charge to her that she had abandoned her baby on September 26.

She already has two other children including a toddler under the age of two.

Prosecutor, Sergeant Glenroy Boyce, in outlining the facts to Magistrate Ian Weekes, said Ellis went to the beach last Saturday where she gave birth to the baby.

He said she found a scissors and cut the umbilical cord, then she found a plastic bag, put the baby on it then placed her under a tree.

She went home and returned to the beach, but panicked when she saw the police and people in the area and turned back. She later turned herself into the police.

Magistrate Weekes deferred sentencing and ordered a psychological assessment of the young woman, as well as a probation report.

Her sister Akeisha Ellis signed the $3 500 bail on her behalf. Her mother was also present for the court proceedings.

Magistrate Weekes told Akeisha Ellis, that her duty was not only to ensure that her sister appears in court on the next date, but that she sees a psychologist.

He stated that the Child Care Board and other agencies were also involved in the matter and he would await reports from them as well.

Her attorney Angela Mitchell-Gittens concurred with the courts ruling.

Ellis is due to return to court on November 4.

She was hustled out of the court-room through a side door into a waiting vehicle.

Meanwhile the baby, who was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, is said to be in excellent health.