Bantam Books Description: This 448 page book deals with a child abuse (murder) trial,
some 21 years after a child's death in a small town in Minnesota. The social
workers in the local department of human services, which had approved the
adoption of the dead boy, warned the prosecutor, the coroner, and the police
that the child had died under strange conditions. The prosecutor and judge then
attended a conference on child abuse, and after the natural mother talked to the
prosecutor, the case of child abuse was reopened. The adoptive mother was found
guilty of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Discussion: This is a well-written, entertaining book from the point of view of the prosecution. But everyone is to blame for this tragedy. Although the author blames small town ineptitude, poor adoption policies, inadequate treatment for mental illness, and the lack of understanding of child abuse dynamics, the real problem was the lack of coordination between the prosecution, defense counsel, social services, police, and the coroner, and a baby's death that no one can explain. The book may be the first record of a murder trial by newspaper. The prosecutor was able to convict the adoptive mother despite the age of the case. The case depended on whether a juvenile court record could be found. It was found at the last minute, and indicated that the adoptive mother was alone with the child shortly before death. This is a disquieting book of an ugly trial, and memory, after 21 years, gets a real test. The battle of expert witnesses was assured and lawyers take a substantial bashing. Social workers' lack of skills are highlighted, particularly in the adoption field. There is no statute of limitations on charges of child murder, or on human stupidity. Now we need a book from the defense side. Reviewed by LeRoy Schultz, Professor of Social Work, West Virginia University.
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