Mother Driving With Baby Zipped in Purse May Face Criminal Charges
A woman in the U.S. Virgin Islands may face criminal charges after police discovered she was driving with an infant zipped in her purse.
Police pulled the woman over during a routine traffic stop and reportedly heard an infant's cries. The baby was nowhere to be seen, though, until the woman unzipped her purse to produce identification. According to the Associated Press, the infant girl was born at home and had not received any care.
The mother had never received any prenatal care throughout her pregnancy and was on her way to the doctor when police pulled her over. They took the infant to the hospital; the mother, whose name and age is not being released by authorities, was released. She may face criminal charges.
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"I thought I saw everything in my years of police work, but this is unbelievable," Deputy Police Chief Christopher Howell told the AP.
The woman has two other children, and authorities have asked the Human Services Department to interview her and her children. Medical care for both the mother and infant was the first priority, explained Human Services spokeswoman Monife Stout.
The Department will follow up with the mother and family to determine whether the other children are safe in her custody. Meanwhile, officers took up a collection and dropped off a new car seat for the baby girl.
People have not taken kindly to the mother's actions, with reader "Anonymous Thought" writing, "Words cannot adequately express the anger I have...her actions are beyond ridiculous" on the Herald Online page.
"I hope social services provides her with psychological/psychiatric assistance," Island Girl wrote on WinnipegFreePress.com. "She needs help, and her baby needs care. Why is the emphasis on criminality, when a baby and its mother's life is obviously at risk?"
