On This Day, 12 September 1918

Birmingham Daily Post 

Thursday 12 September 1918

BIRMINGHAM POLICE COURT

GUARDIANS’ ADOPTION OF CHILDREN CHALLENGED

Leopold Marcus, cycle dealer, 216, Wheeler Street, was summoned at the instance of the Birmingham Board of Guardians for harbouring two children, who had been adopted by the Board, and Alice Martha Staite, the mother of the children, applied for the rescinding of the resolution of the Board adopting the children on the ground that they would be better under her care.

Mr. J. F. Eales, for the Guardians, explained that Mr. Staite died in the Erdington Infirmary in September, 1912, and on October 1, 1912, Mrs Staite, who was left with three little children, was granted outdoor relief, but it was found she was living at the house of Marcus, and the relief was stopped. Subsequently the Guardians adopted the children, and they were sent the Marston Green Homes. While the children were out for a walk in charge of a foster-mother on September 1 last Marcus and Mrs. Staite appeared on the scene and took the children away.

F. Wheeler, warrant officer to the Guardians, said, accompanied Detective-inspector Evans, he visited Marcus’s house September 3 last, and there found the two children, whom they endeavoured to take away, but owing to Marcus’s behaviour and the hostile attitude of the crowd which collected outside they were unable to do so.

Dr. Malcolm Sturrock, Medical Officer at the workhouse, said Mrs. Staite lacked will-power, and in his opinion she was unfit to have control of the children.

The Deputy Stipendiary saw no reason to vary the order made by the Guardians, and imposed a fine of £10 on Marcus.