Mosweetangel RLBF mofordman63's blog: "Anyone who has ever had a loved one in the hospital will enjoy this:"

Mon Dec 10, 11:20 PM ET BISMARCK, N.D. - Dana Deegan hid her pregnancy from her family, including the father of her three children, for nine months. Then she gave birth to a healthy boy, fed him, dressed him, wrapped him in a blanket and left him to die. Deegan, 34, of White Shield, admitted Monday that she left the child alone for two weeks immediately after he was born, then put his body in a suitcase and left it in a ditch on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Deegan tearfully pleaded guilty in federal court to a reduced charge of second-degree murder, acknowledging that she was under stress around the time of the birth. She had originally been charged with first-degree murder and false statements. She is to be sentenced in February and could face as many as 18 years in prison. The suitcase containing the body was found in November 1999 by a rancher repairing fences. Prosecutors said the baby was found in a one-piece sleeper and socks, wrapped in a blanket and towel, and in a plastic bag. The child became known as "Baby Moses," and community members paid burial expenses. Authorities eventually identified his mother through DNA testing. Deegan volunteered a DNA sample to the FBI in 2004. U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley said Monday that Deegan's plea helped bring justice for a baby whose life ended in starvation and dehydration. The case is "absolutely gut-wrenching," said U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley. Deegan told Judge Daniel Hovland, mostly through a series of yes-or-no-questions, that she had never seen a doctor during the pregnancy and that she gave birth to the boy Oct. 20, 1998. She told Hovland that she gathered her older children — ages 1, 2 and 5 — and took them to her mother's home. She returned to her own home about two weeks later "by myself," she said. Deegan said that neither she nor her children's father were employed at the time, and that they had no vehicle. The children's father used alcohol and was rarely around, she said. Her own father had cancer, she said. Hovland asked Deegan whether her life had been "overwhelmed with stress," and she answered yes. Deegan has been in her mother's custody. Defense attorney Bill Schmidt has declined to comment.

> A woman called a local hospital. "Hello. Could you connect me to the > person > who gives information about patients. I'd like to find out if a family > member is > doing better." > > The voice on the other end said, "What is the patient's name and room > number?" > > "Sarah Finkel, room 302." "I'll connect you with the nursing station." > > "3-A Nursing Station. How can I help You?" > > "I'd like to know the condition of Sarah Finkel in room 302." > > "Are you a family member?" > > "Yes, Yes I am.." > > "Hold on.. let me look at her records... Mrs. Finkel is doing very > well. In > fact, she's had two full meals, her blood pressure is fine, she is to be > taken off the > heart monitor in a couple of hours and, if she continues this > improvement, looks like Dr. Cohen is going to send her home very soon!" > > The woman said, "What a relief! Oh, that's fantastic... that's wonderful > news!" > > The nurse said, "From your enthusiasm, I take it you are a sister or > perhaps an aunt..?" > > "Neither! > > I'm Sarah Finkel in 302!.. and NOBODY here ever tells me shit!!"