Homicide Report > John Doe No. 197, newborn [Updated]
John Doe No. 197, newborn [Updated]
Died Nov. 8, 2010
A newborn white baby boy, identified by coroner's officials as John Doe No. 197, was found dead Monday Nov. 8 in the 4500 block of Simpson Avenue in Studio City, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
According to coroner's records, the child was discovered in the trash can in the mother's bedroom. The discovery was made about 7 p.m., said Assistant Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County coroner's office.
The mother, whose identity has not been released, was placed into custody and questioned, said Richard French, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman.
As of Monday, coroner's officials said the baby's official cause of death had been deferred and results will not be available for six to eight weeks.
[Update Feb. 28, 2011: Coroner's officials said John's death was ruled a homicide. He died from "probable asphyxia" or other undetermined causes. The baby was delivered without medical attention and placed in trash can after birth.]
— Stephen Ceasar and Sarah Ardalani


Nine reader comments about John Doe #197
For God sakes lady, we've had the Safely Surrendered Baby law in this state since 2001 for this very reason...if you didn't want your baby, you could've left it with the local fire department NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Now you're a murderer...
Nov. 16, 2010 at 11:52 a.m.
How was a baby murdered when he was age 0. ZERO!!!! And, from what I read, the mother hates her own child! Just give him up to a adoption center! He COULD'VE LIVED!!! LIVED!!!! THough I wonder who actually put the baby in the trash can, I would like to say if the mother put him in there, John Doe could've LIVED!!! NEXT TIME, GIVE HIM UP TO AN ADOPTION CENTER! DO YOU HEAR ME?! AND IF YOU DIDN'T WANT A CHILD IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHY GIVE BIRTH TO ONE!!!!
Nov. 17, 2010 at 6:36 p.m.
look lady if you didnt want your baby there are lots of women who do your lucky that you were able to have a baby why waste it by killing him........ seriously freakin crazy *****!!!!!
Nov. 18, 2010 at 9:06 a.m.
I believe I do believe that baby doe #197 MOTHER IN NOT IN HER RIGTH MIND !!! Can u imagine what will happened if you throw away a banana peel in you rooms trash can ? It will eventualy smell bad. I won't even think of dispossing a sanitary napking in my room, hell no the odor would be nassty!!!. So reader she had to be real sick, right ? Sorry the baby is dead.
Nov. 23, 2010 at 9:46 p.m.
Maybe the baby was stillborn folks. Wait for the autopsy results before you crucify the mother.
Nov. 24, 2010 at 3:02 a.m.
I'm very sadden by this but now I think we should take a vote an give the child a name every one needs a name they are gifts from god and should be given a name I feel sad for the child she should of just taken it too any where and someone would of took care of him.
Nov. 24, 2010 at 5:59 a.m.
its a really sad event but everybody has to make choices hers was the wrong one
March 7, 2011 at 5:53 a.m.
I'm absolutely, shocked, sickened, horrified......
This is life?
I can not believe this is the world I am part of?
This is human?
I can't even speak anymore. I can't speak, I can't breath, this is beyond immoral, beyond comprehension.
All of this on this site, with babies and children, makes me physically, mentally and spiritually broken.
Nov. 16, 2011 at 11:10 a.m.
I am not able to have children. Being a 31 year old female with no kids of my own nor able to even have them. Stories like this just make me wonder, why them? Why are they blessed with a baby and I can't? It just breaks my heart..."Angel" baby had a chance. I could have given that baby a wonderful life but I don't have that opportunity. Never have. I just don't understand...
Nov. 17, 2011 at 7:50 a.m.
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