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Woman charged in death of newborn

The 35-year-old faces a manslaughter charge.

By STAFF WRITER
Published November 1, 2005

St. Petersburg Police today arrested a 35-year-old woman in connection with the death of a newborn last week.

Kieu Oanh Thi Lam, 35, was identified as the mother of the newborn; she was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Lam told police she gave birth at home, in a toilet, and that the infant was dead when it was born. But police believe the baby was alive at birth. Lam, who has three other children, apparently dropped the baby into the trash bin sometime on Thursday, police said. The boy, umbilical cord still attached, was found Friday morning.

A used airline receipt left inside the bag led police to Lam.

The discovery came about 9 a.m. Friday outside JCPenney at Tyrone Square Mall.

The bag was placed inside a slot on the side of the waste bin, used for mall construction. With few clues, investigators searched area hospitals for word of women who had just given birth, and spread word among school resource officers. They also planned to review mall security footage.

Pictures of the black canvas tote bag, which said "Hollywood" on the side and resembled a movie clapboard, were shown on television, producing calls to police. But the bags, made in Taiwan, can be found in many locations.

For whatever problems the mother faced, she could have given the baby up without fear of prosecution.

Under Florida's "safe haven" law, a parent or relative can legally leave an unwanted baby less than 3 days old with personnel at a fire station, a hospital or a doctor's office with no questions asked.

The baby would be put up for adoption.

Since the law's passage in 2000, at least 39 babies have been rescued, including 14 this year, reports the Tampa Bay chapter of A Safe Haven For Newborns, which provides help to troubled mothers.

[Last modified November 1, 2005, 17:28:08]