By Patrick N. Mensah, Maryland County
Harper, Maryland County, Aug. 4, 2026 – Police in Maryland County have charged 54-year-old Abraham Collins with murder and criminal facilitation following the death of his wife, Beatrice Morrison, after she reportedly delivered a baby at home in J.J. Community.
According to a police charge sheet in Case No. HP-197-07/26, Collins is accused of preventing his wife from being taken for urgent medical attention while she was in active labor.
Investigators said Morrison went into labor during the night of July 22 and remained in labor until the morning of July 23.
Family members and neighbors reportedly advised that she be taken to a health facility or that a community health worker be contacted.
However, police said Morrison indicated that she had previously delivered her children at home and preferred to wait for her husband’s arrival.
Witness Teta Elliott, who assisted Morrison during labor, told police that she advised the family to take Morrison immediately to J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital after her water broke.
Elliott said she later called Collins and urged him to permit Morrison to be transported to the hospital. But according to her statement, Collins instructed those present not to move his wife until he arrived.
Police said Morrison gave birth before Collins reached the home. Upon arrival, he allegedly cut the newborn’s umbilical cord. Witnesses said Morrison later became unconscious, prompting Collins to contact Community Health Promoter Mariam Fofana.
In her statement, Fofana said she arrived at the residence and found Morrison lying on the floor in a pool of blood, partially clothed and unresponsive, with the newborn beside her.
Fofana immediately requested an ambulance to take Morrison to the hospital. Maryland County Health Officer Dr. Methodius George told investigators that Morrison was pronounced dead on arrival at J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital at about 2:07 p.m. Medical personnel also reported that the placenta had not been delivered when she reached the facility.
The charge sheet further says Collins admitted during questioning that he cut the baby’s umbilical cord and acknowledged preventing Morrison from being taken to the hospital before medical personnel were eventually called.
Based on the investigation, police charged Collins with murder and criminal facilitation under Sections 14.1 and 10.2 of Liberia’s New Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Dr. George confirmed that the newborn is being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at J.J. Dossen Memorial Hospital and is responding well to medical care.
The case has been forwarded to court, where Collins is expected to answer to the charges.
