UK - Vicar & daughter charged in death of newborn, Freckleton, Lancs, 25 Nov 2014

Ellmau

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The Revd Jim Percival, priest in charge of Freckleton, and his 28 y.o. dau Ruth have been arrested for murder following a reported stillbirth; also unspecified sex offences. Wife also arrested for concealing birth.

It emerged that police were initially called to the vicarage on Tuesday last week to reports of a stillbirth.
Shortly afterwards, Mr Percival is said to have disappeared for some days, leaving a note with parishioners which set out instructions for his funeral, including readings and hymns.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...ter-arrested-on-suspicion-of-baby-murder.html
 
I was absolutely horrified and disgusted when I read this how can you do that to an innocent baby it's sick. R.I.P little one.
 
I was absolutely horrified and disgusted when I read this how can you do that to an innocent baby it's sick. R.I.P little one.

If you're worried the existence of the baby is evidence of a sexual offence; incest, for example?
 
They've dropped the sex offence charges, but are continuing to question father and daughter on concealing a birth: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...racy-conceal-birth-child-sexual-offences.html

The baby's cause of death is not yet determined (it could still be natural causes, although the police suspect it was suspicious). It used to be the case that concealing a pregnancy, and the baby then dying, was assumed to be infanticide, even if the cause of death could not be determined, but I didn't think that was the case nowadays.
 
They've dropped the sex offence charges, but are continuing to question father and daughter on concealing a birth: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...racy-conceal-birth-child-sexual-offences.html

The baby's cause of death is not yet determined (it could still be natural causes, although the police suspect it was suspicious). It used to be the case that concealing a pregnancy, and the baby then dying, was assumed to be infanticide, even if the cause of death could not be determined, but I didn't think that was the case nowadays.

Thanks for the update Ellmau it will be interesting to see if any other charges are dropped or added.
 
I do not have much knowledge of the Church of England, but wouldn't a vicar have connections to possibly private adopt the baby out to an infertile or other couple on an adoption waiting list somewhere? I thought a vicar was well-educated and could come up with a better outcome for the infant, regardless of what sins were committed by the 3 adults involved. I know that God sees all sins as equal, but here on earth, having a 28 year old daughter adopt out an unplanned baby gets a lot less scrutiny than having a deceased new born in your house.
If there were as many stillborn babies born in hospitals as are found deceased in private homes, schools, and public bathrooms, we would never hear about this measles outbreaks and whether the flu shot was any good this year. All JMO.
 
Private adoptions are virtually unknown in the UK, unless they're within the family, and even then I think Social Services gets involved unless it's a stepparent situation. (I know someone who fosters, and they were at one point caring for a baby who was going to be adopted by the very young birth mother's aunt.)

Latest news: the vicar is also accused of a historic rape allegation, one assumes someone came forward after all the publicity over this case:
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/freckleton-vicar-re-bailed-over-rape-allegation-1-7060960
 
Released on bail a second time, the first period on bail having expired.
 
8th Jan 2016:

A 13-month murder inquiry in to the death of a baby boy in Freckleton has been dropped but a vicar and his daughter have again been quizzed by detectives in connection with the incident.

Reverend Jim Percival, 65, and his 29-year-old daughter Ruth were arrested on suspicion of child neglect and questioned yesterday...

Despite repeated post mortem examinations on the baby, the cause of death remains unexplained.

Read more: http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/n...death-probe-continues-1-7663755#ixzz4013195Ck
 
The link above states they are 'bailed' until today. I wonder what is happening?
 
They did drop all the charges, but then in October the inquest apparently uncovered new evidence, and the coroner sent it back to the CPS:

an inquest in Blackpool heard his mother Ruth Percival, 30, had placed him in a plastic bag and attempted to put him in a bin outside and a leaf had been found on the child's leg.

HM coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, Alan Wilson was told that the baby was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, but would have survived if resuscitation had been provided.

Miss Percival had given birth in a downstairs bathroom of the vicarage in Freckleton, Lancashire, while on the toilet, and her father, James, 66, the then vicar of Holy Trinity CE Church, came in to help.

Mr Percival stated to paramedics that his daughter had earlier taken the baby towards an outside dustbin.

The coroner told the pair: "In court Dr Gottstein stated clearly that if resuscitation attempts had been made she could see no reason why this child would not have survived.

"In my opinion this evidence strengthens the previous existing suspicion as to whether a criminal offence had been committed.

The baby's father didn't bother to show up.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...ath-at-vicarage-halted-as-coroner-refers-cas/

Tragic case.
 

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