• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Correctional officer loses job after becoming caretaker of inmate's newborn baby

Home> Community

Updated 14:45 15 Jun 2023 GMT+1Published 14:17 15 Jun 2023 GMT+1

Correctional officer loses job after becoming caretaker of inmate's newborn baby

Roberta Bell became a child's caretaker after his mother gave birth while serving a sentence in a correctional facility.

Ella Scott

Ella Scott

A former correctional officer says she lost her job at a high-security facility after becoming a guardian for an inmate's newborn child.

Roberta Bell, 57, from Vicksburg, Mississippi told Gray Television via WLBT that she had worked at the Louisiana Transitional Centre for Women for over three years.

The former officer said she spent the majority of her working hours in the facility's food hall, where she would speak to the centre’s inmates.

However, a couple of months ago, she was presented with the chance to become a temporary guardian for one of the prisoners’ children.

Advert

It’s said that at the time Katie Bourgeois of Denham Springs, Louisiana, was serving a 'short term' sentence at the LTCW.

However, while inside, she was months away from giving birth to her first child.

The 57-year-old said that the mum-to-be was 'trying to find somebody that would help keep her baby until she finished her term'.

Bell said she wouldn't change anything about her new situation.
WLBT

Advert

“She was very concerned about Child Protection Services getting the baby and her not knowing where the baby was since she had such a short term to serve,” she added.

According to Bell, Bourgeois was desperate for her to look after her child, as her own mother was also going through a divorce and she felt there were no other options available to her.

Upon agreeing to take care of the inmate’s child, the Vicksburg woman contacted her employers at LTCW 'weeks in advance' but heard nothing back.

The LTCW is a correctional facility based in the city of Tallulah.
WLBT

Advert

She told the news outlet: “Nobody ever got back with me until it was about two or three days time for her to deliver.”

However, Bell’s contract at the centre was allegedly terminated due to exchanging personal information with the pregnant woman.

A few days after turning in her LTCW badge, Bourgeois’ son Kayson was born in a nearby hospital.

Reflecting on the tumultuous time, Bell said that she wouldn’t change anything about becoming a guardian and getting fired.

Advert

She said: “I wouldn’t because this is me. There’s no changing. I’m stubborn. Once I do something, that’s it.

“I’m not going to change my mind. I’m not going to back down. I’ve never been that type of person.”

She then stated that she believes God created her to 'administer to the women that don’t know him'.

The 57-year-old now lives at home in Vicksburg, and is looking forward to reuniting Bourgeois with her son when she is released sometime next month.

Featured Image Credit: WBLT/Fox

Topics: News, Parenting, US News

Ella Scott
Ella Scott

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
a day ago
4 days ago
  • 4 hours ago

    Horrifying simulation reveals what really happened when man was swallowed whole by a humpback whale

    A new terrifying fear has just been unlocked, brilliant...

    Community
  • 4 hours ago

    Hidden interview question could cost you that new job even if you are perfect for the role

    Don't get caught out...

    Community
  • a day ago

    Shocking simulation reveals how two inmates in separate prison cells had a baby without ever meeting

    Miami inmates Daisy Link and Joan Depaz had never met

    Community
  • 4 days ago

    Parents issue urgent warning after daughter dies from taking part in viral 'dusting' trend

    19-year-old Renna O’Rourke sadly died on Sunday, June 1

    Community
  • Newborn dies after staff accused of 'breaking baby’s neck' as parents sue
  • Coroner issues warning as boy, 6, dies after inhaling helium from balloon
  • Missing girl, 15, found alive six weeks after disappearance 500 miles away from home
  • People shocked after learning bizarre job Pope Francis had before becoming head of Catholic Church