by linell » Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:22 pm
THE CRADLEY STARVATION CASE
Verdict of Manslaughter 1899
Yesterday evening Mr W. Topham Deputy Coroner resumed the adjourned inquest at Cradley Heath in the circumstances attending the deaths of Edith aged two years eight months, and John Thomas Westwood aged 1 and eleven months, the children of Thomas and Alice Westwood, of Corngreaves Road Cradley Heath.
Caroline Westwood Grandmother was recalled today and identified the body of Edith Westwood deceased.
Dr Thomas Standish of Cradley Heath said he undertook a post-mortem examination of Edith on the 19th Inst. Her body was extremely emaciated, but there were no external marks of violence. The weight of Edith's body was 8 1/2 lbs the average weight being a little over 27 lbs for that age. He could not trace any bodily disease whatsoever. There was an entire absence of fat or blood. The stomach was contracted and empty. Nothing could produce those symptons as far as his knowledge went except an absence of food. Referring to the death of John Thomas, he said that on the 24th December he made a post-mortem examination of the body and was told the child was 1 year and 11 months old. It was somewhat emaciated, and its weight was 11 1/4 lbs. There was a Scar below the angle of the mouth. Internally he found the organs healthy, and that there was an entire absence of food and blood and that death was due to starvation.
In that case they would hold the parents responsible.
If it was the Jury's opinion that their conduct was malicious, then they would return a verdict of murder.
If they thought it was a case of neglect then they would return a verdict of manslaughter. A Juror asked if the children were insured.
The Coroner said he could not answer that question, but he believed as a matter of fact they had been, but the Insurance had lapsed.
The Jury in the case of Edith returned a verdict of manslaughter against the Parents, and in the case of John Thomas, death by natural causes. The Parents were committed for trial on the Coroners Warrant.
Here is another report on the same Inquest from a different Newspaper:-
Yesterday afternoon Mr F. Topham, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Cradley Heath, relative to the death of
Edith Westwood aged 2 and 9 months.
Alice Westwood wife of Thomas Westwood, said she was the Mother of the deceased and resided at Corngreaves Road Cradley Heath. Deceased died on the 14th Inst. It had been consumptive ever since its birth. There were thirteen persons living at the house. Her husband earned 2s 6d per day. Police Constable Davis said that on the 27th Dec 1888 he visited Westwood's home and saw two children.
Both were very dirty, and did not appear to have been washed for three months. One child was in a drawer, which was used as a Cradle. The children were poorly clad. The house was in a most filthy condition, and the stench was so bad as to force him to quit the building.
Witness asked the Mother to account for the filthy condition of the house, when she replied that she had not got the means to keep it better. Witness reported the matter to the Parish Doctor, Dr, De Denne. There was only one chair and a broken table in the house in the shape of furniture. Sergeant Hayward said the other child was nearly dead. The Relieving Officer, William Cooper said that on September 3rd last he visited the deceased's parents house and found it in a most filthy and dirty state. It was raining, and the water was running into the house. The two children were lying on part of a bacon box, and were clad in dirty rags. The only food that was in the house was a small piece of butter on a plate, and some crusts of bread, which were on the floor of the house. The child was about 8lbs weight.
Witness visited the house on another occasion with Dr De Denne, who examined the children, who appeared not to have been fed for a long time. The mother gave the children some milk, and they took it so eagerly as to demonstrate that they had not had any food for some time. He produced a Medical Certificate certifying that the children were in want of food, and in such a dreadful emaciated condition as to endanger their lives. He saw the father, and asked for permission to take them to the Workhouse Infirmary, when he replied that if the mother would give him permission he could if he liked. Witness saw the Mother, who would not consent, and began to abuse him.
On the following Saturday he provided milk for the children.
Witness laid information, and the Parents were summoned for neglecting their children, by the instructions of the Dudley Board of Guardians. On the 11th September the Parents were tried, and the father was committed for one month and the mother for three months.
The children were ordered to be taken to the Workhouse. Edith the deceased, then weighed 10lb 6ozs, and John Thomas who was one year and ten months old, weighed 14lb. After seven weeks in the Workhouse, Edith on her discharge weighed 14lb and John Thomas 16lb 2ozs. When the father came out of Gaol he attended before the Board of Guardians, who allowed him to keep the children in the Union another fortnight. At the end of the fortnight he said he had got a home at Overend near Cradley.
Witness did not hear anything more until the Mother applied to him for a burial order.
The Inquest was then adjourned until the 27 Inst in order that a Post Mortem examination might be made.
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