Southern Belle
02-11-2011, 10:35 AM
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The South Carolina woman accused of giving birth in an arena toilet during the circus and leaving the baby told her family afterward she was bleeding heavily, but didn't know why.
As 24-year-old Jessica Blackham checked herself into a hospital six miles away, a cleaning crew found the 6-pound boy, his skin purple and breathing so labored he could barely cry. The custodians desperately followed a 911 operator's directions, one of them even whispering "vas a estar bien, bebe" (you're going to be OK, baby) as he used his finger to sweep some mucus from boy's mouth. The baby is in good condition at a hospital.
The details of Friday night came into focus when the cleaning crew talked to the media Wednesday about their discovery, and Blackham's mother tried to explain to a judge what had occurred.
"She had amnesia, couldn't remember what happened. She went there (to the hospital) of her own accord because she knew she was bleeding and something was wrong," Anita McAuliffe said at her daughter's bond hearing.
Jessica Blackham went to the circus with her sister and her family, but without her 4-year-old daughter. She has no idea what happened after she entered the cramped pink stall, giving birth and passing her placenta in a space less than three feet across, likely toward the end of the show. McAuliffe was not at the circus and it's unclear whether Blackham went straight to the hospital or somewhere else after the event.
Blackham has cooperated with police since the hospital notified investigators of her condition hours after she arrived.
"She's had periods. There's been no sign whatsoever of her pregnancy," McAuliffe said.
Blackham is charged with one count of felony child abuse and one count of unlawful neglect toward a child. Her bond was set at $30,000, and jail records indicate she has been released. If convicted of both charges, she could face up to 30 years in prison.
Blackham told the judge she had an idea who the baby's father was, but it wasn't her husband, whom she had been separated from for nearly a year.
Blackham's husband told WYFF-TV his wife's mental condition went downhill while they were married and he urged her to get help. He can't believe she didn't know she was pregnant.
As 24-year-old Jessica Blackham checked herself into a hospital six miles away, a cleaning crew found the 6-pound boy, his skin purple and breathing so labored he could barely cry. The custodians desperately followed a 911 operator's directions, one of them even whispering "vas a estar bien, bebe" (you're going to be OK, baby) as he used his finger to sweep some mucus from boy's mouth. The baby is in good condition at a hospital.
The details of Friday night came into focus when the cleaning crew talked to the media Wednesday about their discovery, and Blackham's mother tried to explain to a judge what had occurred.
"She had amnesia, couldn't remember what happened. She went there (to the hospital) of her own accord because she knew she was bleeding and something was wrong," Anita McAuliffe said at her daughter's bond hearing.
Jessica Blackham went to the circus with her sister and her family, but without her 4-year-old daughter. She has no idea what happened after she entered the cramped pink stall, giving birth and passing her placenta in a space less than three feet across, likely toward the end of the show. McAuliffe was not at the circus and it's unclear whether Blackham went straight to the hospital or somewhere else after the event.
Blackham has cooperated with police since the hospital notified investigators of her condition hours after she arrived.
"She's had periods. There's been no sign whatsoever of her pregnancy," McAuliffe said.
Blackham is charged with one count of felony child abuse and one count of unlawful neglect toward a child. Her bond was set at $30,000, and jail records indicate she has been released. If convicted of both charges, she could face up to 30 years in prison.
Blackham told the judge she had an idea who the baby's father was, but it wasn't her husband, whom she had been separated from for nearly a year.
Blackham's husband told WYFF-TV his wife's mental condition went downhill while they were married and he urged her to get help. He can't believe she didn't know she was pregnant.