Angel:
A Child Without Her Mother
By Nancy Hedrick
July 2002
cnh00@charter.netAngel is a young, bright eyed, blond haired, blue eyed little girl who spends alot of time with many of her family members. She sees her cousins talk to their mothers and asks about her mommy. When she visits her mommy at the Dwight Prison in Illinois she grabs her mom and states, "come home with me."
Angel still sets a plate at our dinner table at meal time; she is too young to understand what her mother is charged with and what both mother and daughter face when Constance is released from prison.
Constance will have to fight for her parental rights. Despite the fact that she appealed her charge with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services while an inmate at the Saint Clair County Jail, 700 Nth 5th Street, Belleville, Illinois.
Angel has suffered for over a year now and thinks her mommy is at a school. She talked to her mom for a year through a glass window laughing at times and crying at other times. There were times when she would see a slim woman walking down the street and state, "turn around Mi Ma; that's my mom."
I gave Angel a VHS tape of her and her mother; she watches it over and over; then she talks about her mom.
The courts have charged her mother in the death of her sister who was a Depo-Provera baby; the detective who found her sister lacked the training on what to do in a emergency situation. Now Angel has suffered in more ways then one.
On February 14, 2002 her mother, Constance Marie Lynn Baugh, went in front of Judge Donavan who sentenced her to 14 years in prison. Angel and our local news team were present.
After the court was cleared, Angel went running up to her mommy to hug her where she was stopped by a Saint Clair County court guard. Constance turned and waived at her daughter with a slight smile while she was shackled.
Constance put in a request for a contact visit before she was transfered to Dwight but she was declined. Angel will be seeing her mother on her 4th birthday but not being able to celebrate the life that her mother Constance gave her. Instead a four hour visit and a hug.
-------------------------------------------------------------------- Constance appealed her case with Illinois Dept of Children and Family Services their reply
--------------------------------------------------------------------
STATE OF ILLINOIS
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICESSTATE OF ILLINOIS
JESS MCDONALD
DIRECTOR
406 EAST MONROE STREET
SPRINGFIELD , ILLINOIS 62701-1498
INVESTiGATION OF SUPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT --
INDICATED PERPETRATOR
May 3, 2001Constance Baugh
Saint Clair County Jail
Belleville, IL 62221RE: SCR-0897023-A
Dear Ms. Baugh
Name - Baugh, Constance
We were previously notified by a Child Protection Investigator that the Department of Children and Family Services ( DCFS) was investigating a report of child abuse or neglect. After a thorough investigation, DCFS has determined that you have abused or neglected a child.
The Department has indicated you for DEATH SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF HARM
-----------------------------------------------------------------Copy of Discovery page 478
DCFS - 618-583-2100
STATE OF ILLINOIS 10 Collinsville Avenue
George H. Ryan , Govenor | East St. Louis , ILLINOIS
Jess Mc Donald , Director | 62201-3005April 25 , 2001
Robert Haida
States Attorney , Saint Clair County
10 Public Square
Belleville, IL 62220RE: Baugh , Constance
SCR# 897023AEnclosed is a copy of our recently completed investigation involving the death of a newborn infant, Darla Baugh
As you know the infant died from asphyxiation surrounding her birth at home. The mother Constance Baugh has been charged with murder. I hope this information will be useful.
Sincerely,
William Wasko , MSW
Child Protection Manager
----------------------------------------------------------------------CANTS 17A STATE OF ILLINOIS
SCR#0897023A
8/88 Department of Children and Family
Services
IL 481-0066 child abuse / neglect investigation interview
noteCase name Constance Baugh
Interviewees - Angel Baugh
Relationship --- Alleged Victim
Date February 1, 2001 Time 3:45 PM
Address of interview 31 Wilshire, Fairview Heights IL
Record significant events and case contacts involving this case
Refer to back page for specific instructions on how to complete this form.Worker saw Angel who was adequately dressed and saw no evidence of any physical abuse or neglect.
CERTIFICATION: I hearby certify that this is an accurate representation of the statements and information obtained from the above interviewees
Larry Bush--------------------------------------------------
Workers
Signature Date 02/01/01
---------------------------------------------------------------
PAGE 498
Case Name Constance Baugh
Interviewees -Diane Drovbetta
Date February 5, 2001 Time 8:05 amMs. Drovetta checked and informed me that Constance Baugh is still at the hospital and was admitted to the psychiatric unit on Friday evening; she stated that she would inform me upon Ms. Baugh's discharge
DCFS WORKERS
SIGNATURE
Steven Balir February 5, 2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Due to the lack of investigation from the birth control injection DEPO-PROVERA, an FDA approved drug that has been on the market since 1992 this drug has not only effected Angel Baugh but familes across the US.
Angel Marie Baugh right now is too young to understand the injustice that has been done to her and her mother whom she adores; her mother is up for parole in 2008. That is five years without professional medical help.
Govenor Ryan has done so many cutbacks to prisons and the mentally ill residents that live in ILLINOIS. He is not a good Govenor as all Illinois residents know.
I wrote him about the abuse Constance encountered while an inmate at the Jail and also spoke with Bob Haida, the prosecuting attorney, along with Donald Snyder who is Administrator over ILLINOIS PRISONS. He stated that they are not responsible for Constance's mental issues. Andrew Leifer made the same statement. No wonder they get repeat offenders with no help for the mentally ill.
I am ashamed of our State Representatives and Governor; they love to get paid for the job title that should have been given to someone who cares.
On behalf of Angel Baugh I have saved all letters and articles written about her mother and letters from IDOC -DCFS- DISCOVERY FILES - and most importantly of all letters from her mommy -along with the patient report that was sent to the FDA. The Report states "NOT IN HER RIGHT MIND LARGE AMOUNT OF BLOOD LOSS."
Editor's note: Constance's True Story was published in the fifth edition of The Journal of History (La verdad sobre la democracia) under the title, "Constance."
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