Mystery in Murphysburg

Mar. 15—There's been a mystery in Murphysburg for nearly 80 years, with no more clues to resolve it now than when it happened in 1945.

Who was the baby in the bushes? Who put her there? What happened to her?

A historian and researcher for the Murphysburg Historic District, Mary Anne Phillips, was scanning through old newspaper archives of Joplin one day when she noticed a familiar address that is part of the historic district on Joplin's north side. It was 219 S. Sergeant Ave., the home of the late George Potlitzer and his surviving wife, Jennie. They had lived there in the 1940s.

Phillips said some addresses have changed over the years for a variety of reasons but at that time the house had the address of 215 S. Sergeant Ave.

Potlitzer had been a prominent Joplin businessman. He and his wife were active in the United Hebrew Congregation and did Jewish charity work as well as took part in civic endeavors. He and his brother had owned and operated women's clothing stores in Pittsburg, Kansas, and on Main Street in Joplin's downtown. He had retired at age 58 and traveled the world. He fell ill in 1944 and spent three weeks in a St. Louis hospital before he was dismissed and died suddenly a few days later, according to his obituary on May 23, 1944, in The Joplin Globe.

His wife had suffered from a heart condition since 1933 and had a nurse. The nurse, Mrs. Don Sanford, was at the house with Jennie Potlitzer on the night of July 11, 1945. Jennie's sister, Ruth Weil, also was there. Shortly after 10 p.m., the nurse heard crying outside the house, and the three women went out to look.

Baby bundleAt the foot of the front steps they found a bundled blue-eyed baby girl looking back at them from under some bushes next to the front of the house, according to Phillips' research of newspaper reports at that time.

Those accounts reported that the baby was outfitted in clean clothes, bundled well, and that supplies needed for her care including clothing changes, baby powder and oil were left lying beside her. It was estimated she was about 6 to 8 weeks old. Phillips looked back at nighttime temperatures for that night and she said it was 71 degrees.

The women called Joplin police and officers collected the baby and accompanying items and took the child to the city's health commissioner then, Dr. V.E. Kenney. He examined the baby and declared her healthy. The infant was then turned over to the custody of the Rev. William Kelley, who then was the Jasper County Juvenile officer. He and his wife looked after the baby temporarily, and it had another exam by the city physician, Dr. C.C. Coats, who also found the baby to be in good condition.

Care and custodyReports of the abandoned baby drew interest from more than 50 families who offered to adopt her. Phones at the office and home of the juvenile officer were kept busy by people volunteering to provide a home for the pint-sized redhead.

Kelley told the Globe at the time that he and his wife would keep the baby a while longer in hopes the girl's family would surface before looking for an adoptive family.

"It just might be that the mother of such a fine baby, who thought enough of her to care for her as she obviously has so far, will change her mind about giving her up and call for her. That, under normal conditions, would be the best solution," Kelley said.

"They had leads they followed and possible clues," but no reports of legitimate claims on the baby ever turned up, Phillips said.

There were theories and information reported at the time that the child might have been that of a Webb City teen. There also were offers of adoption from as far as McDonald County.

Two months later, the juvenile officer set a birthdate for the girl at June 1 and placed her in a foster home though, under the law, legal custody remained with the juvenile officer for two years unless someone who claimed to be the birth parents surfaced. Then they would have to be able to prove they were the natural parents or custody stayed with the juvenile authority, according to Globe reports.

CuriosityA curious Phillips has many questions about how the baby in the bushes got there and what happened to her.

"Is it possible that Jennie or her guests did know who the baby belonged to and chose to keep it a secret? Is it possible the baby's mother wanted to leave the baby specifically with a Jewish family or the fact that there was a nurse at the house?" she asks.

"Did the baby ever learn about her biological family and situation?"

Phillips said the child now would be 79 years old if she is still alive. Could she still be in Joplin? Phillips wonders if official records of the case are available or closed to the public.

Erik Theis, Jasper County courts administrator, said juvenile records are closed by state law and even records for old cases such as this one could not be disclosed.

Phillips asks if anyone has information about the mysterious Murphysburg baby in the bushes, Murphysburg residents would like to know how it began and ended. She says people with information may contact the historic district by email at murphysburg@gmail.com.

Safe havensPhillips said that families these days have safe ways to find homes for babies. The Missouri Safe Haven Laws allow infants up to 45 days old to be left with an employee at a police department, fire station, hospital, maternity home or pregnancy resource center. Parents will not be prosecuted if the baby has not been neglected or abused. However, the surrendering parent will have to prove their parenthood within 30 days after a notice is posted about the baby's surrender and the other parent has rights that come into play then.

Members of the Joplin Professional Firefighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 59 are raising money to complete a Safe Haven Baby Box at the new Fire Station No. 7, 6230 E. Seventh St. It is not available yet.