Traverse City Woman Arraigned For Storing Newborn in Backyard Shed
Dealing with an unwanted pregnancy is an emotional and uncertain experience for any woman, often leaving the mother scrambling for a solution. Experienced child neglect and abuse lawyers in Michigan would recommend utilizing one’s rights under the 2001 Safe Delivery of Newborns Act–a completely confidential option for parents who feel they are in a situation where there is no escape. This law allows mothers to legally surrender their infants within 72 hours of birth to a licensed emergency care provider. It is the woman’s right to remain anonymous and refuse to answer any questions when dropping the newborn off at a hospital, police station, or fire department.
If medical examination shows any sign of child abuse or neglect, or if the child is over 72 hours old, Michigan Children’s Protective Services will be notified and criminal charges could result. Otherwise, the Safe Delivery of Newborns Act allows mothers a lawful and anonymous way to terminate their parental rights, without child neglect or child abuse charges.
Unfortunately, many women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant do not turn to this option, and often face criminal charges as a result. An example is found in the story of Lynzee Sanders, 27, who was arraigned on criminal charges after the body of her newborn daughter was discovered hidden in a storage shed behind her Garfield Township home.
In mid-May, a pair of teens discovered the infant after their family dog pulled the body from the storage shed at Sander’s home. When questioned by police, she admitted to giving birth to a live baby girl last October, but believed that the child died shortly afterward. Sanders told investigators that she wrapped the baby in bedsheets and blankets, put the body in a plastic bag, and hid it in the storage shed. Police arrested Sanders, and she was arraigned last week on involuntary manslaughter charges, as well as concealing the death of an infant. If convicted of these crimes, Sanders will almost certainly face several life-changing consequences including jail or prison time.
As seen by the example of Lynzee Sanders, neglecting or abusing a newborn child can result in serious legal trouble. To prevent finding oneself in a similar situation, it is important that mothers who wish to give up their parental rights consult knowledgeable and aggressive child abuse & neglect attorneys in Michigan for assistance. Having the highest quality legal advice and legal representation can ensure that your choices as a parent do not land you behind bars.
About the Author
Since 1998, the child neglect abuse attorneys at Kronzek & Cronkright have provided the best legal advice and legal representation for people accused of child abuse & neglect in Michigan.
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