A stillborn child, found under a hedge

Hertfordshire Mercury, 26th December 1914

Transcript

On Sunday morning, Miss English, housekeeper to Mr Palmer, of Nuns Close, Hitchin, when going out to church at about 10.30 a.m., found a box under the privet hedge to the front garden.  Believing it to be a pair of boots which should have been delivered on the Saturday, Miss English lifted the box, placed it indoors, and went off to church.

On her return, she opened the box in the presence of Miss Palmer, and was horrified to find therein the body of a newly born female child.

Miss English at once informed the police authorities who took charge of the body.  A post-mortem was held later by Dr W.P. Grellett, by order of the Coroner.

At the inquest on the Monday night, Dr Grellett stated that as a result of his post-mortem he was of the opinion that the child was stillborn, and had never had a separate existence.  It had had vitality, but owing to a lack of skilful attention at birth it never breathed.

The jury returned a verdict of “Found stillborn”, leaving it to the police to take any further steps in the matter.

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