Career
On 7 October 1907 in Christchurch, New Zealand, kitchen maid Lillian Fanny Jane Hobbs gave birth to an infant in the lavatory of the restaurant where she worked. A coworker had noticed her pregnancy for the last three months, but Mission Hobbs appeared shortly after giving birth and stated that she was recovering from cholera. However, there were bloodstains found in the lavatory and the body of a newborn infant was found, wrapped in Mission Hobbs" skirt and clothing underneath a pile of clothes.
When questioned by police, Mission Hobbs stated that she was not aware whether the newborn infant was dead or alive, as it had not cried since its birth.
Mission Hobbs was tried before the Supreme Court for child murder but the defence argued that the young woman was experiencing anguish, psychological disorientation and intense pain during unassisted childbirth. Furthermore, the infant"s father was nowhere to be foundation
Under such circumstances, the court decided to show leniency toward Mission Hobbs and she was acquitted.
