Missing baby delivered to Albany priest

didymus · #1 Feb 4, '12, 11:58 pm

WNYT 13 (Albany, NY):

Quote:

Missing baby delivered to Albany priest

ALBANY - An 11-week old baby reported missing from Schenectady earlier this week has been found. Little Madison Green was safe and sound and in the custody of Schenectady County Child Protective Services on Saturday night.
Her return marks a first for a very startled, long time area priest.
"In 44 years as a priest it never happened before," said Father John Bradley, of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany. "
Father Bradley says a man he had never seen before walked into the church at around 10:24 Saturday morning and told parish staff members he wanted to see the priest. After the man was escorted to the church rectory, Father Bradley says the man told him he wanted to lave a baby with him.

"Mom is currently in custody and I believe dad is also still in the care and custody of the Sheriff's Department," said Lieutenant Mark McCracken, spokesman for the Schenectady Police Department.
The child's mother is Janel Davis, whose been charged with felony perjury after allegedly denying that she was Madison's mother. The child's father faces custodial interference and criminal contempt charges because he apparently refused a Family Court order to turn Madison over to Protective Services.

Meanwhile, Father Bradley describes the mystery man's appearance as nondescript.

Okay, so it isn't world news. It is interesting that on some level people instinctively turn to churches as a place of sanctuary.

As for the mother I think the authorities should drop the perjury charges and take her at her word that she is not the mother so Madison can be placed in a good home.

DexUK · #2 Feb 5, '12, 3:33 am

I can see one good thing about this...

Someone clearly thought a Catholic priest was a safe pare of hands in which to leave a baby.

Isn't that nice to hear, when you consider the calumnies priests have had to endure after all the abuse scandals?

petitfleur · #3 Feb 5, '12, 7:59 am

In Illinois newborns may be taken to emergency rooms and left with no questions asked. I know older babies have been dropped off to. I think it's a good thing they wanted to keep the baby safe and decided they couldn't take care of this little soul.

jakasaki · #4 Feb 5, '12, 8:15 am

The greatest thing about this is that he decided to give the baby to someone and not just dumping it in a dumpster as many are known to do.

Cider · #5 Feb 5, '12, 12:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by didymus

WNYT 13 (Albany, NY):

Okay, so it isn't world news. It is interesting that on some level people instinctively turn to churches as a place of sanctuary.

As for the mother I think the authorities should drop the perjury charges and take her at her word that she is not the mother so Madison can be placed in a good home.

They can't take her at her word and just place the baby somewhere. They are obligated by law to try and find out who the parents of the child are and then if they choose attempt to sever those parental rights. We are a nation of laws for a reason.

didymus · #6 Feb 5, '12, 7:03 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cider

They can't take her at her word and just place the baby somewhere. They are obligated by law to try and find out who the parents of the child are and then if they choose attempt to sever those parental rights. We are a nation of laws for a reason.

Well, yeah.
But I work for a social service agency. Child Protective's philosophy of "the worst parent is better than the best placement" can lead to tragic results.