The Proceedings of the Old Bailey

 

1190.   ELLEN M'CARTY was indicted for that she, on the 19th of July , a certain male child, called   John Brady , son of     John Brady , and Norah his wife , of the age of five months, maliciously and feloniously, by force, did take and carry away, with intent to deprive the parents of the possession of him, by concealing and detaining him from them .

SECOND COUNT, the same, only substituting the word fraud for force.

  NORAH BRADY . I am the wife of   John Brady , who is a bricklayer's labourer , we live at No. 8,  Field-lane ; our son John was six months old, on the 6th of this month. I had the prisoner in the house as a servant for six weeks, and gave her a shilling a week, and her board. On the 19th of July, I went to market to sell my things, and left her in care of the child, she went away, and took it forty-three miles; I advertised her in three papers, and had 400 bills printed - she kept it twelve days; it had a coat and a black beaver hat on,

  WILLIAM RATCLIFF . I keep the George, at Brickhill. The prisoner brought the child to Brickhill, and took private lodgings, and was taken extremely ill; her landlady applied to me as overseer, for medical assistance; the medical gentleman found her in a dangerous state - she was speechless for twelve hours. When she came to herself, I believe, the woman taxed her with stealing this child. She had been stopped at Hockliff on suspicion. She acknowledged stealing it, and said it belonged to   John Brady , of No. 8, Field-lane. I gave the child in charge of the woman until I ascertained the fact, by sending the guard of the Cobourg coach to enquire, and on the 30th the prosecutrix came down, and took it to London.

  MATTHIAS WELSHEWS . The prisoner was given into my charge. I took a coat and hat from her in town, which the prosecutrix claims - she had it on.

  NORAH BRADY . I have the child here; I got it from Brickhill - it was in a very bad state. When I found it its two hands were in its mouth, and it was quite forced with screaming. It was not weaned when it was taken - I understood she used to give it her empty breast, to pass as a mother. I had no dispute with her, I believe she is single.

Prisoner's Defence. I was taken in a fit, and did not

know where I was - I sent her a letter to come for the child.

GUILTY . Aged 22.

Transported for Seven Years .

First  Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Recorder.