Leaving Newborn In Toilet Not A Crime: Judge
Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 14:42
A judge has found a northern woman not guilty of child abandonment for leaving her baby in a Walmart washroom.
The stepfather of 22-year-old April Halkett let out an audible sigh of relief when the judge announced his decision this morning at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Prince Albert.
Justice Neil Gabrielson said he believed Halkett’s testimony that she didn’t know she was pregnant when she gave birth on May 21, 2007.
He said it was understandable she didn’t think her son was alive when he came out, as babies can often appear lifeless in cases of “precipitous labor”, when the time from the onset of labor to birth is very short.
He also noted three other women also thought the baby was dead when they saw him in the toilet.
The Crown has said it may appeal the verdict.
Kennetch Charlette, Halkett’s stepfather, spoke to reporters outside the courthouse.
He says the trial was very tough on April, but he’s happy it’s over.
“Hell. Just hell. This whole process — it’s been very scary for her, very emotional, very hard. Her whole life has been turned upside down because of a decision that she made when she was very wrought and everything else,” Charlette says.
“It’s very unfortunate the way that it turned out, but we’re very happy of how it (the trial) turned out.”
Charlette also said his stepdaughter is now pregnant again, and is three to four months along.
The so-called “Walmart baby” is her second child.