Nine year old A. lived with her grandmother and her 17 year old aunt in Wells, Somerset. One day the aunt gave birth to a child and then killed it. A. was the main witness to the crime and was detained in Shepton Mallet prison for two months until the court case was heard. The case was held at Taunton over several days between 9 - 13 May 1887. Shortly afterward A. was fostered out by the Waifs and Strays' Society. A's father could not afford to pay for her full maintenance so he was allowed to pay a smaller amount. In 1893 A. went into service in a laundry in Clacton-on-Sea.
