Читать книгу Parents Who Kill - Shocking True Stories of The World's Most Evil Parents - Carol Anne Davis - Страница 29

Beth’s first baby, a son, was born in March 1902 in Romford, England, nine months into her marriage to Bert. The couple initially lived with Bert’s parents, but Beth and her mother-in-law often clashed, being similarly strong-willed. Later, they rented a home of their own and, in 1907, had their second child, another boy. In February 1913 the couple had a daughter and in July 1916 she gave birth to yet another son.

By now, Beth was back in the shadow of her hated in-laws as her husband had gone into business with his brother. But life was comfortable for the couple and their four children, who enjoyed the luxury of a five-bedroomed terraced cottage with a large backyard where the little ones could play.

Unfortunately, the Woods’ daughter Maisie developed the highly-infectious disease diphtheria in March 1918, a month after her fifth birthday. She was rushed to hospital and the house was fumigated, council workers burning the child’s toys, clothes and furniture lest the contagious disease spread. Maisie was placed in the isolation unit of the local infirmary, where, later that month, she died.

Beth was too distraught to attend the funeral and stayed at home with her baby son, telling him repeatedly that Maisie had gone to Heaven. Her grief was compounded the following month when her 16-year-old son left home to join the Territorial Army and she expressed fears that she’d never see him again.

In retrospect, Beth was suffering from clinical depression, finding the simplest task too much of an effort, but well-meaning relatives suggested to Bert that he should impregnate her, that another child would take her mind off Maisie’s death.