Case Number: 11439

Zales, Cecelia - Age 4 Mos. - Bones only found in ashes from a heater (1928 So. Union Ave.) By her father to whom Mrs. Catherine Zales, (age 21) the mother of the infant, confessed on April 7th that she had first suffocated it, boiled it in a wash boiler, and finally burned it, because she didn�t want the baby. ON 4/13/28 Mrs. Zales was held by the Coroner for murder. 21st Dist. 12/14/28 Verdict Insane - Sent to Elgin Asylum - Lynch.


Circumstances

Date of Death April 1, 1930
Type of Death Homicide
Type of Homicide Intentional murder
Characteristics defendant suffocated, boiled then burned their bab
Method of Killing Smothered or suffocated
Weapon suffocated, boiled in a wash boiler, and burned it
Motive bones found; mother didn't want baby. Found at 192
Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide No
Description Other
Total Number of Victims 1
Excessive Violence Excessive or extreme use of force
Number of Defendants 1
Related to Organized Crime

Victim

Name Zales, Cecelia
Gender Female
Race White
Ethnicity English-Anglo
Related by Blood or Marriage Child/Parent

Defendant

Name Zales, Catherine
Age 21 years
Gender Female
Ethnicity English-Anglo
Race White
Related by Blood or Marriage Parent/Child

Police

Precinct 21
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Total Number of Defendants Arrested 1

Legal

Date of Coroner's Decision April 13, 1928
Outcome of Coroner's Judgment Defendant held to Grand Jury
Charges Against Defendant No
Trial Judge Lynch
Type of Legal Decision Recorded Coroner, trial
Allegations of Police Corruption No
Date of Sentence December 14, 1928
Outcome of Trial Not guilty by reason of insanity

Florence Kelley in Chicago, 1891-1899

Florence Kelley was the first woman factory inspector in the United States. A resident of Hull House, and a reformer – who refused to be associated with any political party–Florence Kelley lived in Chicago from 1891 until 1899, leading and participating in a variety of projects. Visit our companion site...