Amber Alert Issued For Baby Taken From Sudbury Hospital

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UPDATE 09:45pm: The baby has been found. No details are available. The police are currently preparing for a press conference.

Police are looking for a newborn baby girl who was abducted today from a local hospital by an unidentified woman.

The abduction occurred at about 12:30 p.m., and the suspect’s image was captured around that time on surveillance video at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The woman was wearing clothing similar to hospital scrubs, and police say that points to a premeditated decision.

“We don’t believe she’s an employee there,” said Sudbury police Const. Bert Lapalme. “The uniform was pretty much to go along with the plan, we suspect.”

The Caucasian baby has dark hair, bruising on her face, was wearing a white flannel hospital gown, and was wrapped in a white blanket.

Police describe the woman as aboriginal, five-foot-six, slim and between 26 and 30 years old.

She was wearing white pants, a white V-neck shirt and a black sweater, and had her black hair in a ponytail.

Police issue an Amber Alert when they believe a child has been abducted and may be in danger.

“If the child is not in the hospital, I think there’s always a concern, especially for a newborn,” Lapalme said.

The woman is not related to the infant and it is not known why this particular baby was taken, he said.

The baby is believed to have been born in the last couple of days, and the mother is believed to still be in the hospital, Lapalme said.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in Alexandria, VA, reports that since 1983, there have been 121 abductions from health care facilities. Within health care facilities, 56% are taken from the mother’s room, 14% are taken from the nursery, 14% are taken from pediatrics, and 16% from elsewhere in the facility.

The good news is that in the past 24 years, 95% of abducted infants and newborns have been recovered safely.

SOURCE SOURCE

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Kingston’s a Tiger

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Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale take their tiger baby, Kingston, out trick or treating last night.

The singer recently announced that she will hand over the profits from her performance to the San Diego Foundation, a local charity that will distribute the funds to fire victims in that area.

“When I heard about the devastation of the fires, at first I felt I should cancel my show out of respect, but then it occurred to me there might be a more useful solution,” E! Online quoted her, as stating on a radio interview.

“San Diego has always been so supportive of me throughout my entire career,” she added.

PHOTOCREDIT:Cousart-Ramirez-Rios/JFXONLINE.com via USMAGAZINE.COM

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Christina Aguilera’s Belly Sparkles

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A pregnant Christina Aguilera spotlights her burgeoning belly in this sexy-mama outfit at Hyde.

I guess it’s safe to say that she no longer needs to ‘confirm’ that she is pregnant.

In fact, the latest word is that she is expecting twins…

The New York Daily News is reporting that a ‘reliable’ source says the couple will be doubling their pleasure.

You never know what to believe. I will believe it when I see her pushing a tandem stroller with 2 little Bratmans inside.

PHOTOCREDIT:X17ONLINE.COM via EONLINE

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Boy Admits To Setting California Fires

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A boy, who was playing with matches, has allegedly admitted to starting the California fire that have consumed more than 38,000 acres and destroyed 21 homes.

The boy, whose name and age were not released, admitted to playing with matches and accidentally starting the fire, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Diane Hecht said Tuesday.

Aggressive winds helped it quickly spread.

Seven deaths were blamed directly on the fires, six evacuees died of natural causes and one person died of a fall.

All but four of the blazes are now fully contained. Firefighters on Wednesday continued to cut lines around the remaining fires and kept a close eye on the weather.

SOURCE

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The Safari Wagon by Step 2

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Ever since we visited the apple orchard last month, we have been looking for a good wagon that will accommodate our son and all the stuff he needs while we are out.

On my list of criteria for the perfect wagon was:

• storage
• seat belts (our guy is a bit of a climbing monkey)
• shade/canopy
• not too heavy/hard to pull
• room for more than one child (just in case another one arrives the next year or so)

I am happy to report that the Step 2 Safari Wagon fits my list of needs to a T and then some.

On top of meeting all of my requirements, this sturdy, green wagon also has dual cup holders, a compartment for small items such as keys, high seat backs for added comfort and safety plus the option to hook on an extra Tag-Along Trailer(sold extra).

It is offered in two colours red and green and is available at step2.com for $129

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Asthma Risk Increased For Babies Delivered Via Caesarean Section

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New research finds that babies born by caesarean section are at a 20 percent greater risk of developing asthma.

Researchers hope that this study will shed some light on the ‘soaring incidence of asthma in recent decades’.

It has been shown previously to that babies born naturally are exposed to maternal vaginal and intestinal bacteria, while babies delivered by c-section are not. Researchers have suggested that this may create an early-life exercise for the immune system, helping infants to identify and fight pathogens.

Researchers supporting the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ argue that a lack of exposure to such pathogens can be bad for the immune system. They theorize that in the absence of such exposure, immune systems become sensitised to harmless materials, for example, dust or pollen, consequently resulting in conditions such as allergies and asthma. Too hygienic a birth without a welcome dose of mother’s microbes might give rise to a hypersensitive future in a genetically susceptible baby,” Nature quoted allergist Maria Pesonen of the Helsinki Skin and Allergy Hospital in Finland, as saying.

SOURCE

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More Lead Recalls

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CPSC issued 4 more lead hazard recalls today.

1. Simplyfun Ribbit Board Games – About 1,500 games are being recalled because surface paint on the five frog-shaped wooden pieces contain excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Parents are being asked to immediately remove the five frog pieces from the game and discontinue using them. Consumers should contact SimplyFun for a refund or a set of five replacement frogs.

For additional information, contact SimplyFun toll-free at (877) 557-7767 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.simplyfun.com

2. Elite Operations Toys – About 16,000 toys are being recall because surface coatings on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

The recall involves four military-style Elite Operations toys, including Super Rigs (#1004), Command Patrol Center (#1020), Barracuda Helicopter (#1023), and 3 Pack 8-inch Figures (#1024). The product number is located on the toy’s packaging.

The toys were sold at Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and toysrus.com from July 2007 through October 2007 for between $10 and $30. No other Elite Operations brand military play sets are included in this recall.

Parents are asked to immediately take the toy away from children, and return them to any Toys “R” Us for a full refund or store credit.

For additional information, contact Toys “R” Us at (800) 869-7787 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday, and between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.toysrus.com

3. “Ugly Teeth” Party Favors – 43,000 fake teeth are being recalled because the surface paint on the teeth contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

The fake Halloween teeth are painted white, black and orange with brown gums. They were sold as party favors in packages of eight. “Ugly Teeth,” “Amscan,” “Party Favors,” “Value Pack Party Favors,” UPC 0-48419-65002-7 and UPC 0-48419-61663-4 are printed on the packaging.

They were sold at various store for about $2.

Parents are being asked to immediately take the recalled Halloween teeth away from children and return them to the place where purchased for a full refund.

For additional information, contact Amscan Inc. at (800) 335-7585 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.amscan.com

4. “Galaxy Warriors” Toy Figures – Abut 380,000 toy figures are being recalled because surface paints on the recalled toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

The posable spaceman figures are about 4½-inches tall and come with two accessories. They were sold in various colors including yellow, grey, silver, blue, green, gold, black, and red.

They were sold at dollar store nationwide for about $1.

Parents are being asked to take the recalled toys away from children immediately and return the toy to the firm for a full refund plus postage.

For additional information, contact Henry Gordy International toll-free at (888) 790-2700 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

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