Australian Tamara Louise Thompson, 38, starved her three-month-old daughter, Destiny, to death before leaving the body in a shed.
According to reports, the child’s body was “wrapped in muslin cloth inside a cooler bag that had been placing in a cardboard archiving box”.
The mother has since pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Why would a mother commit such a crime against her own daughter?
The mother did not want her baby daughter as she was a result of an unplanned pregnancy and reminded her of the father of the child. The Court heard that the father did not want anything to do with both mother and child.
Shockingly, the mother would leave a bottle of milk in the baby’s cot and did not bother to make sure that the child drank her milk.
After people around Thompson realised that they have not seen Destiny for a while, the mother gave various stories and even went to the extent of saying that the child was being cared for by the Department of Child Protection.
Eventually, Thompson’s landlord alerted the authorities.
Thompson told the police that she was relieved when the child died. Sadly, she added that she “didn’t know what had happened to her body and didn’t care.” The mother finally admitted that the baby “might be” in the shed.
See: Rachel Eddie, “Mother, 38, ‘relieved when her three-month-old daughter starved to death’- and now faces sentencing after she pleaded guilty to baby’s manslaughter”, Daily Mail Australia and Australian Associated Press, 16 December 2016
The stress of being a single mother can be overwhelming at times. In Thompson’s case, there may also be “hatred” towards the father of her child.
How the law in Singapore helps single unwed mothers in Singapore?
Single unwed mothers in Singapore are able to make an application in the Family Justice Courts of Singapore to request that the fathers of their child maintain the child.
Click here to find out more about how you can make an application for the maintenance of your child.
See: Sections 68 to 71 of Women’s Charter (Singapore)
It is hard for one to imagine the difficulties facing single unwed mothers in Singapore. Sometimes, it is much more than just the financial aspects. It is also about dealing with perceptions from the general public.
If you are a single unwed mother in Singapore, contact us today to find out how we can assist you.
You may also be interested to read more about:
2. Annulment (Nullity) of Marriage
5. Maintenance Issues (Alimony)
For more information, please contact us here.
