HARPER, Maryland County – A 54-year-old Maryland County resident, Abraham Collins, has been charged with murder and criminal facilitation, following the death of his wife, Beatrice Morrison after she gave birth at home in J.J. Community, according to a Liberia National Police charge sheet.
By Peter P. Toe, Jr.
The charges, filed under Case No. HP-197-07/26, allege that Mr. Collins prevented his wife from being taken to a medical facility while she was in active labor and instead instructed family members to keep her at home until he arrived.
According to the police investigation, Madam Morrison went into labor during the night of July 22 and remained in labor until the morning of July 23.
Family members reportedly suggested contacting a community health worker and taking her to J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital, but witnesses told investigators that Madam Morrison initially declined, saying she had previously delivered children at home and wanted to wait for her husband.
One of the witnesses, Teta Elliott, who assisted Madam Morrison during labor, told investigators that she urged those present to take the expectant mother to the hospital immediately after her water broke.
Madam Elliott further alleged that when she telephoned Mr. Collins, he instructed them not to transport Madam Morrison to the hospital but to wait until he arrived.
Police said Madam Morrison delivered the baby before Mr. Collins reached the home. Investigators allege that upon his arrival, Mr. Collins cut the newborn’s umbilical cord. Witnesses told investigators that shortly afterward Madam Morrison became unconscious, prompting Mr. Collins to contact Community Health Promoter Mariam Fofana for assistance.
Madam Fofana told investigators that she arrived to find Madam Morrison lying on the floor in a pool of blood, partially clothed and unresponsive, with the newborn beside her.
She immediately requested an ambulance to transport the mother and child to J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital.
According to Dr. Methodius George, Maryland County Health Officer, Madam Morrison was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital at approximately 2:07 p.m. Medical personnel also reported that the placenta had not been delivered, indicating serious childbirth complications.
Police further alleged that Mr. Collins admitted during questioning that he cut the baby’s umbilical cord and acknowledged preventing Madam Morrison from being taken to the hospital before medical personnel were eventually called.
Based on those findings, investigators charged him with murder under Section 14.1 and criminal facilitation under Section 10.2 of Liberia’s New Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Dr. George confirmed that the newborn remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital and is responding positively to treatment.
The case has since been forwarded to the Harper Magisterial Court for further proceedings. Mr. Collins remains in custody and is expected to answer the charges.
Under Liberian law, the charges against Mr. Collins are allegations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
