Mom charged with putting newborn in trash
Posted on Wed, Jul. 02, 2008reprint print email
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BY ADAM H. BEASLEY
abeasley@MiamiHerald.com

BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Meshia Morant has been charged with attempted murder.A baby girl born in a Lauderdale Lakes home two weeks ago went from her mother's womb into a trash-filled white garbage bag.

The little girl survived the ordeal and is in good health, while the mother sits in county lockup, charged with attempted murder, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Here's how authorities say it happened:

Meshia Morant, 30, a Jamaican living illegally in the United States, was staying with friends Junior and Nadia Lodge in Lauderdale Lakes. When the Lodges returned home early the morning of June 14, they noticed a trail of blood leading from the living room to the kitchen.

Junior Lodge asked Morant if she had given birth. She said no.

Then, Nadia Lodge noticed Morant carrying a white trash bag. Finally, Morant acknowledged the baby girl was inside the bag -- packed with garbage.

Junior Lodge called 911, and paramedics took both mother and child to Plantation General Hospital.

BSO got involved soon after. Tuesday, they charged Morant with one count of attempted murder. An immigration hold has also been placed on Morant.

The girl, now 2 weeks old, is in good health. Child Protective Investigations Section placed her in the custody of a friend of Morant's.

''The baby is fine and taken care of until a more permanent plan develops,'' said Leslie Mann, a spokeswoman for the Department of Children and Families.
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