HUGHES, infant (d. 1872)
A new born infant was found dead in a vacant lot, near the depot, in this place, on Sunday night last. Upon investigation it was found that a young lady named Malinda HUGHES had given birth to it about 2 o’clock on Sunday, in a privy nearby. Doctors who were called in to give it as their opinion that the child had breathed after it was born. She acknowledged to have taken medicine to destroy it, and denied killing it after it was born. When found the body of a child had been somewhat mutilated by the hogs. We learn the girl is not of sane mind, and that criminal proceedings will not be instituted against her. (page 3, col 1)
Source: Cleveland Banner (Cleveland, TN); 5 July 1872. Available online at Google News Archive.