PERRY CO., Tenn. -
A Perry County woman is charged with child neglect after she gave her one-day-old daughter to a relative, according to authorities.
Jamie Burcham is in the Perry County jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.
Perry County Sheriff's deputies arrested her January 23 after the Tennessee Department of Children Services discovered she abandoned her infant daughter with a relative one day after giving birth.
"Jamie said the reason she left the baby is because she couldn't afford the baby," Perry County Sheriff's Deputy Lora Leegen explained.
Deputies later learned Burcham had long said she did not want to keep her baby. According to investigators, DCS and the hospital where she gave birth offered her counseling as early as 19 weeks into her pregnancy, but she refused.
"Do not just take the baby to a family member or friend, you cannot do that," Leegen continued.
Deputies told Nashville's News 2 that Burcham has refused to identify the baby's father. She also failed a drug test administered by DCS when they did a home visit during their investigation.
Sheriff's officials said Burcham has a lengthy criminal history in the county. She has been arrested eight times since 2003 on various charges including, probation violations, accessory after the fact and failure to pay child support.
The relative who took in Burcham's daughter also has a criminal record with arrests including child neglect and abuse. The relative also failed a drug test administered by DCS when she was found with the baby.
"To leave your child with just anyone is against the law and to leave them in the custody of someone who just got their children back is not a good idea," Leegen said.
Under Tennessee's Safe Haven law, Burcham could have left her baby with an employee at a hospital, birthing center or a community health, outpatient or walk-in clinic.
Infants up to three days old are eligible for Safe Haven protection and the baby's mother faces no criminal charges for leaving the child.
"Situations arise where they cannot afford to take care of the baby physically or mentally," Deputy Leegen said. "Mothers have to know the law will protect them if they do the right thing for the baby."
Burcham's daughter is currently in DCS custody after spending two days at Maury Regional Medical Center for observation.
"The baby is doing fine," Deputy Leegen said. "She checked out and she is in a home right now and is safe."
Deputies say Burcham has still not told them who fathered her daughter.
