Probe into death of newborn awaits tests

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

A State Police van parked outside James House on May 2 after maintenance staff discovered the body of a newborn baby. (Tibora Gircyzc-Blum photo)

 week after campus workers discovered the body of a newborn baby in a trash bag in a Southwest residence hall, investigators are awaiting final autopsy reports before taking any action.

     Speaking at a press conference last Friday, Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth D. Scheibel said the additional test results and further interviews will help determine whether a crime was committed.

     Initial autopsy reports indicated the baby weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and appeared to be full term. However, Scheibel declined to discuss how the baby died or how long after the birth the body was found.

     Scheibel did say the woman thought to be the baby's mother is a 19-year-old resident of James House, an all-women's dorm in the Poet's Corner section of Southwest.

     After the baby was found early Thursday morning, UMass Police, State Police detectives from the DA's office and a mobile crime lab responded to the scene.
Based on interviews with James House residents, police obtained search warrants for the 19-year-old student's room and a nearby bathroom. The student, who is from Massachusetts, is thought to have given birth alone, according to Scheibel.

     The man investigators think is the baby's father is from the same town as the mother but is not a UMass student.

     News of the tragedy rocked the campus.

      "This tragedy has deeply touched the campus community. The pain of the loss of new life seems always magnified through the lens of living. It is as if we grieve both the loss itself and the promise of lived-through experiences," said interim Chancellor Marcellette G. Williams in a prepared statement. "Once again, the community must turn to each other for comfort and support. And, no matter what befalls us, we must continue to choose life, even as we grieve."

     "This is a very difficult time for everyone," dean of students Jo-Anne Vanin said. "While this incident is especially painful for the residents of James, all of us are affected by it. I encourage people to use sensitivity and understanding in supporting one another through this troubling time."

     Vanin said a meeting for stu-dents at James and Emerson houses was held last Thursday night to provide information about the incident and to inform students about services available to them. About 80 students attended the meeting. A member of Vanin's staff and representatives of Residential Life and Mental Health Services attended the meeting. According to Vanin, similar meetings may be held in other residential areas on campus in the days to come.

     Vanin said counselors continue to be available to talk with students, and that chaplains and other resources are also available to students, faculty and staff through the Dean of Students Office in 227 Whitmore Administration Building, 545-2684.