Man Faces Murder Charges In Wife’s Fatal Home Delivery
By Aaron B. Nemah
A 54-year-old Marylander, Abraham Collins, is facing murder, and criminal facilitation charges after his wife, Beatrice Morrison, died following a home delivery in J.J. Community, Harper City. According to a police charge sheet filed under case No. HP-197-07/26, Collins allegedly blocked efforts to get his wife to a health facility, while she was in active labor.
He reportedly insisted that family members wait for him to come to house where is wife was in labor before hey seek further medical help.
Police say, the incident began on the night of Wednesday, July 22, when Madam Morrison went into labor at their home.
Witnesses told investigators that family members urged her to go to J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital, or contact a community health worker.
She reportedly refused when she told relatives how she had delivered previous children at home, and preferred to wait for her husband. The situation worsened into the early hours of July 23. Witness Teta Elliott, who assisted Madam Morrison during labor, said, she advised an immediate transfer to the hospital after her “water broke.” Madam Elliott alleged that she called Collins, and informed him of the emergency of his wife. Police allege that Collins instructed them over the phone not to take his wife to the hospital, and to wait until he comes, instead.
Madam Morrison delivered the baby before Collins reached home.
Investigators say, Collins then cut the newborn’s umbilical cord himself.
Witnesses recalled how the woman later became unconscious.
Immediately after that, Collins called Community Health Promoter, Mariam Fofana for help.
Fofana told police she arrived to find the woman lying on the floor in a pool of blood, partially clothed, and unresponsive, with the newborn beside her.
Madam Fofana immediately called for an ambulance.
Maryland County Health Officer, Dr. Methodius George, confirmed that Madam Morrison was pronounced dead upon arrival at J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital at approximately 2:07 p.m. on Thursday, July 23. During police questioning, Collins admitted how he cut the umbilical cord, and that he had prevented his wife from being taken to the hospital before calling for medical help. Based on his admission, police charged him with: murder–section 14.1, New Penal Code, Criminal Facilitation–section 10.2, New Penal Code.
The case has been forwarded to the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court in Harper, where Collins is expected to answer to the charges.
