MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police responded to 466 Beech Street on November 28, 2017 and spoke with the 34 year-old resident. Officer Adrianne Davenport noticed the resident was holding an infant child, who was wrapped tightly in numerous blankets as they spoke at the front door. She also noted the electricity and heat were inoperable, so she asked the woman, identified later as Sarah Becker, 34, of Manchester, about her status to ensure the 6-week-old infant was okay.
Officer Davenport inspected the apartment once Ms. Becker invited her inside. Officer Davenport felt the residence was uninhabitable for the infant based on the amount of trash, dog feces, and debris scattered throughout the apartment floors, and the lack of heat and electricity. The Department of Child Family Services responded to the apartment to set-up a safety plan for Ms. Becker and her daughter.
According to police logs for Nov. 28, there were two calls made for service at 466 Beech St. At 11:34 a.m. an animal complaint was logged, and at 12:04 p.m. a check subject condition call was made. Lt. Brian O’Keefe said they were two separate calls, but did not have specifics on the nature of either complaint. He said Animal Control would have been dispatched to the first call. He did not have further information on who made the calls.
Ms. Becker refused to hand her baby to DCYF officials on scene, and even pushed one of the police officers while holding her infant daughter. Ms. Becker eventually complied with the court order and conceded temporary custody of her infant daughter to a DCYF worker. Both pets were transported to the Manchester Animal Shelter by an Animal Control Officer.
Ms. Becker was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and obstructing government administration.
She was scheduled to appear in the 9th Circuit Court-Manchester on November 30, 2017.
