ST. STEPHEN, N.B. - A New Brunswick judge says a woman who burned and
dismembered her newborn son is criminally responsible for her actions.
Becky Sue Morrow earlier pleaded guilty to offering an indignity to a
dead body and disposing of a newborn with the intent of concealing a delivery.
Judge David Walker ruled Friday that the 27-year-old woman may have been
suffering from a mental disorder when she delivered the baby but that that
was not the case when the baby's body was burned and its remains hidden.
It is not known if the baby was alive at the time of birth.
At a hearing last month, the court heard contrasting reports from the
two psychiatrists. One said Ms. Morrow was in a "disassociated" mental state
when the crime occurred. The other said she clearly planned her actions
and understood the consequences.