Baby Placed in Foster Care

December 25, 2005 permalink

The internet this year is rife with rumors of the latter-day treatment of a baby boy who cannot be identified.

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INFANT DISCOVERED IN BARN, CHILDREN'S AID LAUNCHES PROBE

Carpenter Being Held On Charges Involving Underage Mother

Bethlehem, Ontario - Authorities were today alerted by a concerned citizen who noticed a family living in a barn. Upon arrival, Children's Aid social workers, accompanied by police, took into protective care an infant boy who cannot be named, wrapped only in strips of cloth and placed in a feeding trough by his 14-year old mother.

During the confrontation, a man identified as the father attempted to stop the social workers. The father, aided by several local shepherds and some unidentified foreigners, tried to forestall efforts to take the child, but were restrained by the police.

Also being held for questioning are three foreigners who allege to be wise men from an eastern country. The RCMP and CSIS officials are seeking information about these who may be in the country illegally. A source with CSIS states that they had no passports, but were in possession of gold and other possibly illegal substances. They resisted arrest saying that they had been warned by God to avoid officials in Bethlehem and to return quickly to their own country. The chemical substances in their possession will be tested.

The owner of the barn is also being held for questioning. The manager of the Bethlehem Inn faces possible revocation of his license for violating health and safety regulations by allowing people to stay in the stable. Civil authorities are also investigating the zoning violations involved in maintaining livestock in a commercially-zoned district.

The location of the minor child will not be released, and the prospect for a quick resolution to this case is doubtful. Asked about when the baby would be returned to his mother, a Children's Aid spokesperson said, "The father is middle-aged and the mother definitely underage. We are checking with officials in Bethelem to determine what their legal relationship is.

The father has admitted taking the mother from her home because of a census requirement. However, because she was obviously pregnant when they left, investigators are looking into other reasons for their departure. The father is being held without bond on charges of molestation, kidnapping, child endangerment, and statutory rape.

The mother was taken to the Clark Institute where she is being examined by doctors. Charges may also be filed against her for endangerment. She will undergo a psychiatric evaluation because of her claim that she is a virgin and that the child is from God.

The director of the psychiatric wing said, "I don't profess to have the right to tell people what to believe, but when their beliefs adversely affect the safety and well-being of others - in this case her child - we must consider her a danger to others. The unidentified drugs at the scene didn't help her case, but I'm confident that with the proper therapy regimen we can get her back on her feet."

A spokesperson for the premier's office said, "Who knows what was going through their heads? But regardless, their treatment of the child was inexcusable, and the involvement of these others frightening. There is much we don't know about this case, but for the sake of the child and the public, you can be assured that we will pursue this matter to the end."