Madison County DA: Baby was alive when dumped in Flora

Suspected mother of dumped infant treated

FLORA — Authorities believe the newborn boy found in a suitcase left in weeds behind a church was alive when his mother disposed of him, Madison County District Attorney Michael Guest said.

Shelia Ealey, 41, who already had five children, is charged with murder.

"The baby was not born at a hospital," Guest said Tuesday. "Based on the investigation, it appears the child was alive when she abandoned it, which appears to be a short time after she gave birth - less than 24 hours."

On Tuesday, Ealey, of Flora, was treated at a hospital for complications related to childbirth. Officials still are awaiting DNA tests to determine if Ealey is the baby's mother.

Ealey is expected to have her initial appearance today in Madison County Justice Court. She is being held in the Madison County jail without bond.

Guest said evidence in the case points to murder but a grand jury will determine whether Ealey will be indicted on murder, manslaughter or capital murder. He said the investigation is ongoing.

Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland said an autopsy has been completed but the cause of death is pending further results.

The infant was found Friday behind Smith Chapel Baptist Church by a church member clearing weeds around the property. The boy was wrapped in a garbage bag and blanket inside the suitcase.

The church, where Ealey attended, is on rural Livingston-Vernon Road, east of U.S. 49 in the Kearney Park community, and about a mile from Ealey's home.

Hours after the baby was discovered, Ealey turned herself in to deputies.

Ealey's neighbors Belinda Walker and Clara Cowan said they never knew she was pregnant.

"We couldn't tell," said Walker, who lives next door to Ealey on Magnolia Street.

Walker said Ealey lived alone with her five children and they appeared to be a normal family.

Cowan, 59, said she's known Ealey since Ealey was a toddler. Ealey grew up in the Magnolia Street home across from Cowan's.

Cowan said she would see Ealey go to work, come home and cook for her children every day.

"None of us thought she was the one who did this. Everybody's shocked," Cowan said.

Cowan said Ealey's oldest child is in his early 20s and the youngest is about 9 years old.

Madison County Sheriff Toby Trowbridge said Ealey's children would most likely be placed in the care of relatives.

Clarion Ledger