British tourist charged with murdering her child after giving birth in Crete hotel room

[Lakedaemon]

A British woman was facing a murder charge yesterday after allegedly strangling her newborn son moments after giving birth in a hotel room in Crete.
Leah Andrews, 20, who is believed to have two young sons, was under armed guard in hospital last night. Police said she had not known she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant. In south London, her father said the family had no idea their daughter was expecting a child, and were in a state of shock.
Andrews was on holiday in Malia, north-east Crete, when she was found bleeding heavily by her sister and a friend on their return from a night out. An ambulance was called at around 5am yesterday and she was taken to hospital in the nearby city of Heraklion.
Greek police said the women had arrived on the island last week on a 10-day package holiday and had been staying at the self-catering Natali hotel. Andrews, who had been out with the group earlier in the night, returned to the apartment early after she complained of feeling ill. She was alone when she gave birth.
Police said they discovered the baby, who was already dead, in the hotel room covered by sheets.
A coroner's report said the child had been born healthy, but had died from asphyxiation. A coroner, Manolis Michalodimitrakis, who examined the boy, claimed: "The baby was alive. There was air in his lungs and stomach."
Andrews told doctors that the baby had been stillborn. "She said she wrapped him in sheets and towels because the infant was cold," a police officer said.
At the family's home in Catford, south London, Andrews' father, Isaac, said: "It's a great shock for the family. We're still trying to take it all in.
"We haven't heard much ourselves and we're waiting for more news. We had no idea she was having a child. At the moment we we're just holding on. We hope this is just a terrible mix-up."
One neighbour said Matthews was studying social work at Goldsmiths College. She added: "She's a good girl. I don't think Leah would hurt anyone."
A receptionist at the hotel described "utter panic" when the tourist's 24-year-old sister discovered what had happened. "She rushed down here screaming. She was in a state of shock. She had no idea her sister was even pregnant," said the employee.
A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm that a British national was charged with the murder of her baby in Malia, Crete, on July 21 and we are providing consular assistance."
Aristiedes Economidis, a solicitor in Athens, said Andrews could be facing a sentence of up to 10 years under Greek law if found guilty.



Source: British tourist charged with murdering her child after giving birth in Crete hotel room | World news | The Guardian

[Lakedaemon]

When the judge said her that she should remain in custody until her trial will take place, Leah Andrews collapsed. The young British woman that is accused of killing her baby shortly after its birth, wrapping it with sheets and towels, moved back at the hospital of Heraklion.

In her side is now her father who traveled from London, who, speaking to journalists stressed that his daughter is a good mother and would never do something like that.

Leah Andrews claims that her child was born dead and that she would never kill her own child. Nevertheless, her allegations are not confirmed by the forensic report indicating that the baby died from suffocation after its birth.

It has not yet determined when her trial will begin, while later in the day is expected to be announced if the judge will appoint a guarantee for the 20-year-old woman.

Source: Zougla online - "Äåí óêüôùóá ôï ðáéäß ìïõ"