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Rex v. Dora Martha Sparling Sadler

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

Extract

This case was tried at the Central Criminal Court, on January 16, before Mr. Justice Greer. The prisoner was 37 years of age, and had been employed for four years, as a childrens' nurse, in a family living at Kensington. Two children were under her care, Sonia aged 4 years, and Jean aged 9 months. Until the birth of the second child the mother had been in the habit of going daily to business. As a consequence, the care of the elder child had, to an unusual degree, devolved upon the prisoner, who became exceedingly fond of the child. After the birth of the second child the mother was more at home. The prisoner appears to have resented this, and there were frequent disputes, culminating in a blow being given by the prisoner to her mistress. As a natural result, the prisoner was given notice to leave her situation. That same evening the prisoner's employers went out. On their return they found the nursery window closed and the door locked. Next morning the room was entered by the window. The child Sonia was lying dead upon the bed. The baby was lying unconscious, and died later. The prisoner was also in an unconscious state, and a gas-ring in the room was turned fully on. In the room was found a letter written by the prisoner, which said, “I am taking them both. I could not leave my Sonia to the creature she calls mother.” The prisoner had also written to a friend in these words, “I am taking my darling Sonia with me. I know she would not be happy here without me. I did not want to take Jean, but I could not put her outside.” The prisoner was removed to the Fulham Infirmary. After having been unconscious for six days, she recovered, and made a statement, in which she said that the children did not want her to go, so she said she would take them with her. She also stated that she remembered turning on the gas, and said that she wished she had been allowed to “finish” it.

Type
Part I.—Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1924 

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