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September 6, 2012 11:44 AM

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Angela Janecka, Virginia woman, accused of leaving newborn in dryer to die after home birth

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Angela Marie Janecka, 39, is charged with attempted murder and felony child neglect.

/ Henrico Police via WTVR

(CBS/AP) HENRICO, Va. - Angela Janecka, a Virginia woman, is facing charges of trying to kill her newborn daughter by putting the infant in a plastic bag inside a clothes dryer and leaving her to die.

Henrico County police arrested Janecka, 39, Tuesday on attempted murder and felony neglect charges.

Police tell media outlets that Janecka gave birth to her daughter at her home in Henrico, outside of Richmond, on Aug. 25. She allegedly called her husband, who was at work, and told him the baby was stillborn.

At Janecka's arraignment on Wednesday, Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Nancy Oglesby said Janecka's husband found the baby alive in the dryer. The father had been cleaning up the area where his wife had given birth, Henrico Police Capt. Jan Stem told CBS affiliate WTVR. The baby was allegedly in a plastic bag inside a pillow case.

According to WTVR, the father contacted a doctor who then called the rescue squad.

Janecka is now being held without bond. The newborn is in the custody of Child Protective Services.

13 Comments +

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by JenniferPS September 9, 2012 11:21 AM EDT: What a tragic story. Please refrain from headlines that refer to this as a "home birth," however. The issue was not that this woman's baby was born at home (technically it seems to be an unassisted birth, NOT a home birth with a qualified attendant), it is that she her perpetrated abuse upon her newborn child. As journalists, you would be wise to stay away from the politicization of home birth unless you are ready to write a truly deep and informed piece. This was NOT a "home birth."; Reply to this comment

by worriedmom78 September 7, 2012 12:48 PM EDT

You people should be ashamed.... Who are any of you to pass judgement! Although I don't condone what she has done, what is sad is that she was so mentally unstable and lost and no one noticed before it went to far. You have no idea what she has gone through her entire life and what might have happened to make her this unstable.

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by CareyRose September 10, 2012 6:22 PM EDT: Are you kidding me worriedmom78?!!!! The LAST thing I am concerned with is this monster of a woman! I've worked with severely disabled/mentally challenged adults for years, and even those with severe mental disorders no better than to put a baby in a dryer!! Not to mention she lied to her husband about the baby being born stillborn so therefor she KNEW what she was going to do/had already done was wrong....otherwise no need to lie. I am SO sick of the "insanity" excuse. She KNEW what she was doing was wrong, therefore she will be charged as such. A disgusting waste of spaced that woman is!


by HM8432 September 7, 2012 11:51 AM EDT: That's why people should require a license to procreate; some people simply aren't fit to be parents!; Reply to this comment


by magnumdr September 7, 2012 9:44 AM EDT: This woman should have been stillborn. Put this woman in a dryer and let her spin for about a week!; Reply to this comment

by nohater September 7, 2012 5:21 AM EDT

cut out the horse pucky about mental disorder unless there is proof beyond the shadow of a doubt. absent proof, just execute her.

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by busterdawgggy September 7, 2012 7:10 AM EDT: Well, there is that pesky little document called the Constitution, which I suggest you read.


by byrdh5n1 September 7, 2012 10:30 AM EDT: She should... come clean first........ Maybe she took a tumble during childbirth....


by tmittelstaed September 7, 2012 5:08 AM EDT: This woman is a mental case and the story is even weirder than what's published here. According to this:

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/sep/06/tdmain01-henrico-mother-tried-to-feign-babys-death-ar-2181884/

she had been telling her husband for a month that "the baby had died but a doctor told me to carry it to term" prior to this.

The couple has an 8 year old child.

My take on it is that her husband knew that she was mentally disturbed for months and was just crossing his fingers that she would go into labor in the evening, or when he was around and could take her to the hospital. Likely he knew she was full of baloney but was just humoring her, afraid that any disturbance might cause her to do something to herself that would harm the baby. He probably hoped that once the baby was born and her hormones went back to normal that she would stop acting nuts.

Although she wrapped the baby in plastic and a pillow she obviously didn't suffocate it because the husband heard it cry, and she didn't bang it's head against something or otherwise harm it. I don't think that she is dangerous in that she is malevolent. But I do think that she is legally and certifyibly insane and should not be caring for her or anyone's children.

Likely what will happen is a plea bargain that will force her into an institution which is something that is really needed here. maybe they can straighten her out there. But it will be a tremendous hardship for the father to care for an infant and an 8 year old and try to continue working. Hopefully he or she has family who can help out.; Reply to this comment

by catwoman1952 September 6, 2012 4:24 PM EDT

Put her in a dryer and turn it on full blast!

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by ttipbc September 6, 2012 5:10 PM EDT: Looks like you'd have to use one of the oversize dryers at the laundromat, as she looks pretty sizeable! All kidding aside though, I hope her husband has the wherewithal to do what is best for his child, divorce her, & raise the child as a single father if he is capable. If not, place the child for adoption.


by rwsmith29456 September 6, 2012 4:08 PM EDT: How awful!!; Reply to this comment


by linfinster September 6, 2012 12:55 PM EDT: WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS WOMAN??!; Reply to this comment

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