Tha Sad & Tragic Case of Maggie Heffernan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ม.ค. 2025
- The case of Miss Maggie Heffernan that took place in 19th Century Australia
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Yet another fascinating, but tragic case, excellently researched & narrated, very enjoyable channel!!✊♥️
Thanks Julie :)
I know these stories make us look at ourselves and question what we would do if it was us.
I agree with you. The research alone takes time one, two centuries back. Vintage photos are a plus.
The post office fire destroying Maggie's plea to her family was a cruel stroke of fate. How different the outcome might have been!
Yea
Absolutely.
This is so sad, for mom and baby. Her situation was so hopeless. Meanwhile, the father goes on with life with no accountability
That's a myopic statement. The father probably never knew she was pregnant, since they parted ways before she knew herself! And she could always have snitched a basket or something and left the child on the doorstep of a prosperous looking home in the middle of the night-that's what I would have done.
Yup post partum depression is no joke especially on top of the struggle she was already having and it's not like terminations were allowed back then so she had no choice but to have that baby and being so unwell wasn't thinking straight about what to do
She had other options as one is noted below. She assumed she would not be hired because of a baby and unwed, but did not try. She could have lied about having a husband. There were infertile middle to wealthy women who would have taken it in as their own. Poor little tyke.
@@rebekahtaylor4830 true
@Change InTheAir maybe. Strangely, it wasn't quite that easy to find someone to adopt your child back then.
Her poor son. Society at that time was awful toward unwed mothers with men never held accountable.
>respectable establishment
>turning away desperate mother and baby
Victorians were....weird.
It's throughout all history
It's a lot like many current, American - ahem - "Christians", eh?
Nothing says "respectable establishment" like turning away a woman and her newborn baby.
AMEN, what's happened to kindness 😢
That is a very astute comment.
That's exactly what I thought too...😢😢😢
My thoughts exactly, all those good “respectable” people 😢
"away in a manger, no crib for his bed. the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head"
Poor George. Poor Maggie had post partum depression as well as being hungry, tired, and stressed. I have been in a similar situation but in a time when I was able to get help. I still remember the pain, the fear, and being so lost and overwhelmed. I can't say with complete honesty that I wouldn't do the same thing that she did if I was in her shoes. I would hope not but I can't be sure. The mind can only deal with so much before it cracks. RIP Maggie and baby George. 😢💔🕊️
Well said, and so true.
Poor girl and baby! Desperation can leave you to do things you'd never would normally do. Postpartum Depression is still widely under diagnosed it however, is improving and with better understanding. Thanks BC ❤
Stop excusing murder of kids , there many struggling people in developing countries that don’t kill their kids because they are burden
What a sad story, so glad to hear that she got a second chance and lived a long life. Well done to that Vida Goldstein for whipping up support for Maggie and stating the obvious about the errant father's role in all this.
Wholeheartedly agree! Brilliant that so many rallied for her. Shame it couldn’t have been from the beginning. She’d have her wee lad and perhaps would have learned of the post fire, gotten a position working, support for her and her baby.
my thoughts exactly
This is a sad story I love this channel
Poor baby. She was obviously feeling overwhelmed and lost. Unfortunately a little boy lost his life and the father wasn't held accountable.
Neither she was held accountable!
@@renatacuriosa She didn't give herself a baby.
Sadly, in over 100 years not much has changed. Women are still held accountable while the father is left to live his life unburdened.
And the woman who gets pregnant is told its her fault for not keeping her legs closed but, you never hear them saying anything about the man keeping his pants zipped.
@@renatacuriosa She was held more accountable than the father. Look at the hell she went through. Maybe all those self-righteous men should judge the society they created, where an unwed mothers was treated like trash, couldn't get a place to live or job so they could provide for the babies. What were they supposed to? Give the babies to the hell hole orphanages that existed at the time? I believe to that she'd have to abandoned the baby and then she'd be charged for that. Babies often died in those nasty orphanages.
@@kina18 I would balance that comment by acknowledging that poor baby boy who died a painful death
The title of this video is so perfect. This young woman's life was sad and tragic. She reached out to her parents when she was at her wits end and that very evening before the letter could be delivered it burned down.
She had nowhere to turn, no food and shelter.
You can't help but feel sorry for her. She was so alone and a good person really.
I was happy to hear a jury of men asking if the charge could be lessened from murder to manslaughter. Then, after being forced to conclude she was guilty of murder, they begged for mercy for her. Those men had good hearts. Makes me wonder if they had seen the women in their lives go through postpartum depression. I'd be willing to bet at least one of them did and convinced the others that it is a real thing.
She murder her own baby and she walked free! How’s that justice? SMH
@@renatacuriosa What part of post partum depression is real don't you get? Even today there a way too many stories in the media demonstrating the problem.
People were not heartless even if punishments for crimes were hard in these days.
@@renatacuriosa So she was supposed to watch the baby starve to death or die of exposure? The good Christian folks wouldn't hire an unwed mother or rent her a place to stay.
@@kina18 many women gave up children fro adoption or let them in foster homes and baby farms. It was very popular at the times. Nothing in the world justify a mother drowning her own baby. Are you seriously defending her? Would you actually do the same? Geez! She murder a child and lied about it.
Tragic story. Poor Maggie and her poor baby. It’s really heart warming that Maggie was treated with a measure of compassion in those times.
Such a sad story. I'm glad she was freed after being in such an awful situation. But I'm sad too for the poor baby who never had a chance at life. Terrible times for women and children. Beautifully narrated as ever.
Thanks Lynda
How tragic. Life was so cruel for poor people, in these days. Thanks BC. As usual, a really empathetic coverage of these horrific situations. ❤
Life is still cruel to poor people.
There are news articles and research studies on how poverty affects poor mothers / parents.
See "How Does Economic Inequality Affect Infanticide Rates? An Analysis of 15 Years of Death Records and Representative Economic Data," a study conducted in South Korea.
A rise in unemployment leads to a rise in infanticide, even in modern "developed" countries.
@@AuDHDarling of course it is!
@@AuDHDarling thanks for the book recommendation.
Not just poor people. For women it was worse.
Well the father probably never knew she was pregnant, since they parted ways before she knew herself! And she could always have snitched a basket or something and left the child on the doorstep of a prosperous looking home in the middle of the night-that's what I would have done.
I'm so glad she had public opinion, and a woman with significant influence, on her side. Pointing out the unequal treatment of women in similar circumstances, as well as the inflexibility of the law, was key in achieving freedom and a new start for Maggie. I'm so relieved her story had a better outcome than most in her position. Thank you.
What a wonderful retelling of a tragic case.
I'm sure many women had to live with the greif and shame of infanticide. Thank God for the people who fought for margaret and the many others in this impossible position . Margaret's parents were such decent people being willing to stand by her.
She deserved no pity and should have been executed.
Thank goodness she finally got some true support and help. Too bad patriarchal systems are so controlling and unforgiving under the guise of respectability.
I am so glad she got to have another chance at life and a somewhat happy ending. Where are her children now?
Thanks BC for another in depth narration.
Thanks for watching
@Nicky L Thanks for the info.
Nice to see some compassion now and then. In that era, as many as five babies were found in NYC's East River in a month. How many were missed, or thrown into the Hudson or Harlem rivers, I'm unable to say. Presumably, most were victims of desperation, rather than cruelty on the part of the mothers. A terribly sad situation
It's still nonetheless *cruel* and murder.
@nickyl8980 I actually came back here to point that out, for clarification. On the Lower East Side, especially, unattended home births in squalid, packed rooms, poor nutrition, the whole shebang, killed lots of babies. Abortions were easily gotten for 5 bucks, so if the mother carried a child to term, she must have wanted it. Though some were killed because of unexpected changed circumstances. Like abandonment
So sad that no help was available for the women and children in this situation.
Unmarried women have too much to lose when they become pregnant those days. I think in many places it is still viewed as a source of shame but the stigma does not apply to unmarried fathers. 😞
I was a young unmarried mother in 1975. I lost my family and became homeless. Then became a victim of domestic abuse for 4 years. I once asked the police to come and help me get away, one officer said 'you don't really want to do this do you?' At the age of 20 I got away from him and raised his baby by myself. The first baby was adopted out but we now have a good relationship.
This story made me cry. Well done showing how bad off she was. I'm glad she got a second chance at a full life.
Me too.
Always a Masterclass in how to provide informative content in an entertaining way.
Great to hear about Australia 🇦🇺vwith all the correct pronunciations featured.
Thanks for your constantly great programmes.
🇦🇺
Thanks Jane, much appreciated!
How open minded for that time period were those who signed the petition. I would have thought considering the stigma of unwed mothers was still prevalent in the 1960’s with babies being forcibly removed from their biological mothers, that the woman would be held solely to blame for becoming a “fallen woman”. I’m very pleased that she went on to prove herself by raising children and living a long life. I’m going to Bunyip this week, I may have a snoop around their dead centre, and see if I can find her.
I wasn't "forcibly removed" from my bio-mom in 1963. She & her mother discussed options & decided to place me for adoption since bio-sperm donor bailed.
I agree,am amazingly empathetic and modern view was shown for this being the victorian era.I'm quite proud of it.
So there's actually a place in Australia called "Bunyip"??? WOW!
My Mum lived in Bunyip as a child!
what a fascinating yet Tragic case, keep up the good work Breifcase!
Comment for engagement. Keep up the great work. These older cases are so well researched and presented.
Thanks Heather :)
Beautifully presented. Great photos of Flinders St station and local areas. I was born and raised in Melbourne, but had never heard about this. I have learned something new about my birthplace. Thank you so much.
Thanks Nancy
@@BriefCaseOfficial Always with people that have .ore knowledge than me. Learning at 63. Better than brain deaf and set ideas. The more curious, the more you learn. Thank you.
Another heart-tugging story! I couldn't imagine living in those times. Thanks again, BC. ❤️🇨🇦
Thanks for watching
I love to see another Brief Case this morning. Thank you so much and it’s wonderful watching the world change into compassion for women like Maggie ❤
Thanks for listening Desi
What a heartbreaking story. I was a mother/baby nurse for many years, postpartum depression is an absolutely horrible condition. These poor women suffer dreadfully. A very sensitive telling of a very sad story.
Very Tragic! Like many men today, they are attracted to virgins. Once they take advantage of innocent young ladies, they are DONE with them...with no repercussions for their actions!
Society look down on unwed Mothers, as if they got pregnant on their on. The father's needed to be held responsible back then...and Today.
Enjoyed your Commentary, as usual...you put a lot of effort and research into your cases.❤
Thanks for the Easter Monday 2023 upload! Time to watch this before Easter Monday lunch at my brother's!
Hope you enjoy lunch :)
@@BriefCaseOfficial We had pork / tofu tacos and beet beer as part of lunch, which was interesting! Plus Vietnamese pomelo!
Hi Flamsterette! How are you doing?
Thank you BC for choosing another case from Australia - yet another very sad tale of a young woman left to to deal with an untenable situation by a man who remains anonymous, unburdened and fancy-free. I truly hope she was happy in her marriage and with her surviving children.
Poor Maggie... poor George. I was happy to hear she was released, and had some kind of a normal life for a while. 😢 Thank you for this story. Once again, a day that starts out with a Brief Case, is always a good day! ❤
So wonderful to hear that Maggie got a second chance at life after going through all that... Very well made and narrated my friend, as always!
Thank you so much!
A long life of grief and tragedy. Ironic. Captivating presentation. Thanks BC. Another fabulous job.
Thanks for watching
What a tragic story. Poor Maggie, what she must have gone through and the decision she made with her first baby George. It tears at my heart for them both. Thank you, Brief Case for another incredible episode!!
I love your channel, love that your stories are always so well researched and that you give us details that make us know a person to a certain extent. And I always appreciate when you provide information about the person in later life, as you did here with Maggie. I wouldn't want to have lived in those times when women were second-class citizens with very little recourse. Sad tale that was very well told. Thank you Brief Case.
Thank you so much!
GOOOOOD Morning Brief Case! 💼💐
Hello :)
@@BriefCaseOfficial so very tragic! 😢 I'm glad that she lived a long life, and did manage to move on despite the trial and the desperation. She did not have an easy life tho...May she rest in peace. Thanks again for all your hard work to bring us these cases with such details.
Australia was a bit ahead of the times putting some responsibility on the deadbeat father. No telling how many other babies he had.
Such a sad story for this poor young girl that due to desperation and lack of work and support she commited infanticide. Always the girls who had to carry the burden. Thanks for the Australian story
Thanks Berenice, did you see the Vampire of Barcelona story. I hope my Spanish pronunciation was OK :)
Every Monday without fail.
Thank you BC for this tragic story.
greetings and salutations from Cabbagetown Toronto. Hope you are all enjoying post Spring Bunny chocolate bliss. Thanks as always Brief Case and team for the wonderful (albeit sad) start to Monday.
Not so many chocolates but all good, thanks
A society that treats women like this young lady and NOTHING is done to the man IS DOOMED
In this same era, postpartum depression was sometimes accepted as a legitimate criminal defense. Maggie Heffernan had the bad luck to draw a judge who was hostile to the idea, and perhaps lackluster defense lawyers.
Oh, that poor girl. That poor wee baby. So much suffering that was so unnecessary. And those doctors were as bright as blown lightbulbs.
A very interesting case study. Talk about bad luck. She just couldn't get a break. Sad.
So glad she made it. I think, this lady is an example of someone who's gotten the worst cards from Fate and yet prevailed against the odds. "Extenuating circumstances" are often the case in these old tragedies and its a relieve that she had the chance to make amends. And since she lived to the age of 88... I would guess, or hope, that her life onwards was a worthwhile one.
Life was so much difficult back then and unfortunately, many people today don’t realize it. We have a lot to be thankful for today.
It’s so sad that Maggie suffered from depression after giving birth. Postpartum is still misunderstood even today. Poor baby, RIP George
The true victim is the baby. No matter how you spin it, Maggie murdered the poor child.
@@Keirnoth How many babies died at that time from living in absolute poverty.
Fortunately we’ve learnt a lot since then, but Maggie didn’t”murder” her baby, listen to her tragic story.
@@julielevinge266 while.we can sympathise she did in fact murder her baby. She put it in the river where it would drown. What's the point in denying it.
Even if she didn't have depression it is possible that the situation she was in led her to do it. No money, no job , no home no help! That's enough to drive anyone to make drastic decisions to improve their situation.
Yeah, imagine if a father was depressed and poor so he drowned his daughter.
😢 I appreciate all your work, especially on the videos that my mood or emotions cause me to click away from. Thank you.
Thank you for your great videos. You sure work hard to please us all! Happy Monday Easter to you and yours B.C
Thank you Elke, You too!
@@BriefCaseOfficial
Welcome! :) Thank you Brief Case
@@Trevorjennings679
Good morning Trevor Jennings! Thank you, I am safe from Covid-19 but pretty sick from others issues. Hope you are healthy and safe with family. Take care!
Thank you as always for another brief case! Just love this channel!
Yet another great story well presented by BC I love it.
It's amazing the strides that humanity has taken toward taking care of people in need.
Absolutely brilliant, I very much enjoyed this case x
Excellent episode. Thanks BC.
Thanks for watching
Hoorah what a perfect video to have on while I go to bed thanks heaps brief case xx
That was a sad story. I'm glad it ended well for her. Relatively well at least. I wish I could say society is better these days but that's not always true.
That was a sad and tragic case but thank goodness the people of Australia had sympathy for her plight and by their efforts got her released and allowed her to live and hopefully fulfilling life.
Australia. Yes.
Hi Agapy!
The fact that a person had endured a hard life and was facing a series of challenging misfortunes does not justify murdering a child, and as far as I'm concerned, she should not have gotten off for the crime. I don't think she should have been put to death either, but that's only because I don't support the concept of 'killing a human being for killing a human being.' ...But ten or fifteen years in prison or even a stretch in a mental hospital would've been a much better punishment for the crime than what she served. Can you imagine what it had to have felt like to be overtaken with water and unable to breathe as your body drowns??? She admitted to just 'walking away' as her baby was dying, yet when the court sentenced her to death - she fainted. To her, a baby meeting its demise is insignificant, but her meeting hers is obviously a horrifying thought.
Thank God she had people supporting her. Would have been better had they done so when she was caring for her baby tho. Great video BC.
Thanks Donna
Bless Maggie's parents for caring for their daughter. Also, thank goodness for the public support that saved her from hanging.
BC I want to let you know that I enjoy your videos a lot. I can tell how much hard work you put into them. I find your voice great for story telling. Your videos have been helping me get peaceful moments in my life. Thank you for all that you do.
Thankyou so much for your nice feedback
So tragically sad, thank you for sharing BC. 🇨🇦🙃🍁
Thanks Marion
Indeed, it is this case, Brief Case. Thank you.
I recently found your channel and have been loving your videos. You narrator well and the length of the videos is great not too short or super drawn out. Thanks for doing such a great job!
Thankyou so much :)
Thank you Brief Case, God bless and have a great week 🥰
Thanks Dixie, Same to you!
What a sad situation. I'm glad she was able to move forward in her life.
I look forward to Monday and the next Briefcase!!
My heart broke when I heard this story. What a sad set of circumstances for Maggie. I have a little one of my own and can empathize with how difficult it is to take care of a baby, no less a newborn. I hope that she was able to rest easy and has been reunited with little George, wherever they are.
Happy Monday Brief Case❤
Thanks Elizabeth
6 a.m. here in the US. I'm ready!
Thank you again for the video! 🩷
Thanks Jordan
After reading many of the comments I am in agreement with the outcome of Maggie's case.
I do wonder however if the possibility of her leaving little George at an orphanage was possible in those days. But considering her mental state I can understand her actions. Excellent video as usual.
So sad, a life taken is the worst, but this woman's situation was so bleak, I'm glad she was pardoned after two years!!!🙏😢❣️
Wishing a very happy BC Monday to all. Thanks BC for always starting the week in an intriguing way. Your work is very appreciated! 🙏🖤✌️
Thanks Laura and happy Monday to you
Thank you so much BC . Very good one . Excellent!
Thanks for listening
Nice to see an Aussie case BC. Thank you. It is enjoyable to listen to, however very tragic. 😮😢. Thank your for the research and narration.
Thanks Rick
Always look forward to your new episodes!!!
Such a well put together video. Giving all the details, without judging Maggie. So glad she recovered, but very sad for her little baby boy. 🦋🦋🦋🌸🌸🌸
Thank you
This happened in my home state but I never heard of the story. How utterly heartbreaking 🇦🇺💔
@@Trevorjennings679 Looks like you ask all the ladies that
Brief Case always has great content I enjoy watching all of his cases
Thanks Bobby
I'm behind on your videos, and I'm going through withdrawal! 🤣🤣 Don't worry, I'll get caught up! Thanks again for the stories you share with us!
Wow a story from my area!! So interesting. Loved the photos of flinders st station. Thanks BC. Another winner ☺😃
Glad you enjoyed it
Good Morning, Brief Case.
Morning
Another sad story…poor woman 🥲thank you BC for another story…love your channel❤️
Thanks for listening
Being observed as a caring mother at the hospital makes my heart bleed even more. I can not imagine the horrific mental turmoil she must have been going through when she put her baby in the river. I am actually crying writing this. Thank goodness for women like Vilda Goldstein, a true trail blazer and also much respect for the all male jury who did their very best. Am so desperately sad about what happened to baby George.
I am glad her life was saved 😢
Great case again
Oh ty again BC.
I look forward to your so so interesting stories.
Makes us question what we would do in that case, if it had been us
She was desperate no doubt.
Amazing that she did receive mercy and was able to live to a ripe, old age. Sad that she lost her husband, though.
Very sad story BC single mother's were in an impossible situation back then especially if the family was strict or religious...poor baby George I wonder how his father felt and did he regret not helping Maggie...I am glad she didn't get executed and that she went on to marry and have children and that she got close to her parent's again...thankyou for sharing and Happy Easter 🙂🇦🇺
Thankyou :)
in addition to your well-written and presented stories - I always appreciate the documentary style use of a range of period photos - to either inform the mood or atmosphere of the story as well as illustrate crime specifics. Most YT producers don't go to this much effort - they are like podcasts with random repeated photos.
Thankyou so much Rick
@@BriefCaseOfficial thanks so much for your reply 😛
Thank you, BC, for telling their stories.
Thanks Norma
Good morning BC from Black Diamond Alberta, Happy Easrer Monday. An interesting case as per usual,
Morning
My heart goes out to this poor girl , but glad she went on to have children later ❤
More to murk. Schrödinger's Feminism. Women are both simultaneously victim and empowered, strong and independent and choose which role to play at any given time dependent upon the situation.
@@original-australian_OG So you can't be strong and a victim in the same time? Or what do you mean? Life is complex I know a guy who is a real alpha male and he was sexually abused as a kid. Being an alpha doesnt mean you can't be vulnerable in other ways even of you are strong both physically and in spirit/mentally
@@original-australian_OG Found the incel.
@@original-australian_OG I think also that education played a large part in this type of story, because of her rural upbringing, she believed what the man who got her pregnant said about marrying her. It was her first real job and boyfriend little did she know he was a Chancer and she was brought up to do the right thing and get married and have her baby only to find he was long gone ☹️ I must say I was impressed the with the way the Australian women helped her in her situation, in England she would have been left to her own devices.
I wonder what happened to those children after her husband was killed at such a young age.
I’m glad they also called for the father to be responsible..... but I also gotta wonder why 15000 people couldn’t have come to her aid “before” she felt she had to kill the baby.
Excellent!! Thank You very much!!
Thanks for watching
I'll donate more next time, forgive me. Peace.