McPherson Mom Pleads In Child Abandonment Case
McPherson Mom Pleads In Child Abandonment Case Save Email Print
Reporter: Cayle Thompson
Email Address: cayle.thompson@kake.com

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Deidre Harman, 19, pleaded "No Contest" to charges of Child Abandonment at the McPherson County Courthouse on Monday. As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Harman will likely only face probation.

Prosecutors say Harman dumped her 6-week-old daughter in a trash bin near her home in May. Investigators say she then called 911 and reported the baby kidnapped. After several hours of searching, police found the child in the dumpster unharmed. The girl is now in state custody pending further review of Harman's case.

Harman requested a mental evaluation during a previous court hearing to determine if she was competent to stand trial. After reviewing a doctor's analysis of Harman, the judge ruled Harman is competent. Rather than go before a jury, Harman elected to accept the plea deal.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors dropped an additional charge of Child Endangerment and agreed to allow probation instead of requesting jail time. By accepting the agreement, Harman cannot appeal her case or change her plea.

By pleading "No Contest," Harman does not dispute the allegations made against her. She will be officially sentenced on December 15th.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 15, 2008 at 03:27 PM
you know linda is just doing this to get you all going and it is working. dont let her get the last laugh. ignore her

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Kansas on Oct 14, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Honestly, Linda! Just go smoke your stupid cigarettes and SHUT UP!!!! Not everything in this world has to do with smoking or not being allowed to smoke. I wonder how many fires you have set every time you throw your butts out the window of your vehicle while you are drivng down the roadway.

Posted by: christy Location: ark city on Oct 14, 2008 at 03:18 PM
so when you are aware of how you became in the position of becoming a mother. bring a child into the world take care of the child for 6 months then decide to just dump the child in the trash bin. and then call 911 and lie about baby being abducted. why cant you be aware of the consenqueces of your actions? come on now Probation is just like saying it was okay for what she did. And making it look like its okay for any other teenage mother to do the same and just get away with it!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Honestly Linda- Here we go again-- the guy hit and killed the mother and the daughter due to the Smoking Ban. You have some serious issues.

Posted by: CC Location: Wichita on Oct 14, 2008 at 07:21 AM
I sure hope that she will do the right thing and sever her rights. Adoption is one of the greatest acts of love a mother can do for her child. This baby could be adopted into a very loving home. This person does need help and it is apparent she should not be a mom until years down the road or perhaps not at all. I am tired of seeing little ones suffer at the hands of their parents. That is the perfect crime because you can almost get away with murder before anything is done. They can be tortured, neglected, beaten, etc and the parents get away with this. If a stranger did these things, they might spend a long time in prison.

Posted by: jones Location: Wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 08:28 PM
God bless that baby. I hope that she is taken care of from this day on. That little girl who dumped her in the trash can needs to be jailed for a long time. My heart goes out to the community...GOD BLESS

Posted by: dc Location: Wellington on Oct 13, 2008 at 07:50 PM
The prosecutor is right I think probation is enough for her to realize what she did wrong. The baby is fine and under the custody of in good hands right now. We can give her a chance to change.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: wichita, ks on Oct 13, 2008 at 07:08 PM
The courts are WAY TOO nice to people like this girl. They take children away from GOOD parents, but they wont think twice about punishing a parent like her. She will get a slap on the wrist and set free. My daughters father has ALWAYS been in and out of trouble, and the courts have always slapped him on the wrist and set him free. Last week he beat my daughter severly when he had her for visitation and he has to go to court. Will they set him free?? PROBABLY. The court system is whats f*cked up.

Posted by: Linda Location: Wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 07:07 PM
This is so sad. I wonder if the smoking ban in wichita had anything to do with this? If she could have left her baby somewhere that wasnt affected by the smoking ban in wichita maybe this wouldnt have happened.

Posted by: nope Location: Wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 07:01 PM
to N/A it appears ccourts there are the same as in Wichita if she gets probation out of the deal. If she does then they probably follow the same playbook.

Posted by: Jason Location: Wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 06:06 PM
My heart goes out to the child as well but it quite obvious that this girl has mental problems and needs help. Hopefully she will get that help. I hear everyone wanting to protect the baby and punish a child - I do not care what age you are we all need protection and maybe if this young lady would have had some "help" in here growing years this would not have happened. This show we all need to be proactive not reactive. Its easy to say punishe her but where were all of you when she needed help.

Posted by: Sydni Location: McPherson, KS on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:23 PM
It makes me sick to my stomach that probation is her punishment. Especially when her intentions for that innocent baby were much worse. That baby truly has a guardian angel and I'll tell tou why.....the trash normally would've been picked up early that morning, but it happened to be that Memorial Day was on that Monday so all the trash pick-up for that week was a day later. Thankfully, she was stupid enough to not know that. Let's hope the system doesn't place that baby back in her care......even w/that being said, what do you want to bet she'll be pregnant within the year?....very sad!

Posted by: Maggie on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Is therapy and parenting classes part of her probation as well? This case is frustrating, now would be a good time to set an example to other bad parents. "In exchange for her cooperation".....I am not sure how she has cooperated, however I am sure it's not worthy of a plea deal. There are no consequences for terrible decisions. How about a hysterectomy, or tie her tubes so she can't attempt to destroy any other child's life?

Posted by: sl Location: wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:32 PM
How heartless, You leave you 6mo. in the trash she is not a doll. Remember she is part of and always will be. Did your mom put you in the trash? Remeber that just REMEMBER!

Posted by: What?! on Oct 13, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Angela, she has other children?! the girl is 18......that's messed up! the children would be better off with someone else. she is NOT a mother, she is a kid that gave birth.

Posted by: Angela Location: Wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Police stations, churches, and hospitals are all places that children can be "left" without repercussions. If I recall, this woman has other children that have also been in jeopardy. Perhaps the state can now find the kids a home since their mother doesn't want them in hers.

Posted by: n/a on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I hope that McPherson courts are a lot tougher on this than Wichita.....here she would get a slap on the wrist.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM
I think cities and coutnies need to do a better job advertising solutions for parents who aren't mentaly or finacially ready for parenthood. It would dramatically help the children to be adopted or taken by the State as opposed to leaving the children in trash cans because the parents know no other options. This isn't an excuse for this woman but she certainly won't be the last one to do it. We need more preventitive plans in place.

Posted by: t Location: wichita on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:03 AM
How sad!! How could someone be so selfish and heartless to do this. I will never understand how people could harm a child. Our children should be loved not left they are GODs children so take care of them

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    Fire Department: Fireworks Are Illegal In Most Of Sedgwick County
    • Posted By: Park city looked like the first Iraq war last night!!! It was spectacular,the whole sky was lit up waaayyyy into the night in ALL neighborhoods...like it is EVERY year and did not have ONE incident of a feild or house fire! Sorry you people in Wichita did not get to enjoy! If you're good...we might let you come and see us shoot them next year...but thats only if you're good..kiddys.
    • Posted By: StacyThese guidelines are good. However, I'm new to Wichita and I have to say I'm shocked at how many people shoot off fireworks in the city proper and in parking lots of businesses andapartment buildings (like the one I live in). If it's illegal to do this, why on earth is it so commonplace? I was in the military for a few years, about 3 of which were spent in a lot of different areas of the continental U.S., not to mention the nearly 18 years I grew up in mosly Montana. I never before have seen an entire city with so many amateur fireworks displays inside of city limits. Law enforcement, why aren't you enforcing anything?
    • Posted By: AnonymousI agree with Frankie although the sedgwick county fire department says they only enforce the law, they pushed for the fireworks ban. I believe the original was in 1978. I know it was after bottle rockets were made illegal in Kansas. I wish government would quit trying to protect us from ourselves, we need protection from them. I'm sure our tax dollars paid for the signs, putting them up, and then for taking them down stuck all over! KAKE needs to go through it's archives and find the original ban the sedgwick county commissioners signed and also read the constitution it says that we have the right to celebrate our independance with fireworks. For those complaining about fires in rural areas I've lived out in rural sedgwick for over 50 years and the instance of a house or wheatfield fire being caused by fireworks is pretty uncommon. It's a sparsely populated area unlike city living and fireworks tend to go up not shoot out for miles. Farmers intentionally light the stubble after harvest!
    • Posted By: FirefighterFireworks were banned in Sedgwick County in 1978. Why? There weren't enough firefighters and equipment to go around. Calls were waiting for a response. Firefighters came to work at 7:00 and didn't see their station until the following morning. There were was much damage to fire equipment. The County department had a tank truck roll. This type of response had been occuring for several years. This doesn't even speak to the damage to stuctures, possesions and the persons that where injured. The departments and civic leaders said enough,and fireworks were banned. Some of you say we are unamerican. Far from the truth. You have asked us to watch after you and assist in the time of need. Sometimes that means prevetion instead of action. I love fireworks as much as the next person. Fireworks have slowly made it back into many communities. If everyone can prove they have self control and caution when using fireworks then, they may come back everywhere. Stay safe this 4th.
    • Posted By: AnonymousI guess I'm one of the hundreds of others that did not realize ALL FIREWORKS WERE ILLEGAL! (At least For those of us living outside a city limits in sedgwick county). I knew that while some cities Belle Plaine, Clearwater, Haysville, etc.. chose to allow BIG STUFF (the aerials) Wichita did not. The 78' fireworks ban was for the BIG STUFF!! The unincorporated areas had to follow sedgwick county's allowable fireworks same as the city of wichita chose to do. What year did they sneak in NO FIREWORKS AT ALL OF ANY TYPE for unincorporated sedgwick county?? It wasn't in the original ban. Living outside the city limits of any town, even when ALL FIREWORKS were allowed there were no fireworks stands out here, and the news was saying buy where you live, I called the no fire number for the sedgwick county fire department and asked where we should buy fire works that would be legal and I was told in wichita city limits. This is unconstitutional, prejudiced and segregates rural sedgwick county!!!!
    • Posted By: George WashingtonThis is all silly. I am going outside to set off Fireworks.
    • Posted By: SusanOk, I will expect everyone who is upset to show up at the next Sedgwick County council meeting. If you don't even at least call your councilman, than you should not complain.
    • Posted By: ShaunI think that people in the county needs to remember that this day is to celebrate or freedom as a country!!! China gave us fireworks to help US and a COUNRTY celebrate. To me this is UNAMERICAN!!! Yes, i agree that the big ones that can set major fires sould probly not be shot in rural areas. And all though this law don't affect me personally, it still does as I am a soldier and an American. I am proud of my country. Even if I could only shoot off fountains or what ever I still think that is better than nothing. As long as the person shooting them off is doing it on a concrete surface I don't see why they can't have small fireworks!!!!!
    • Posted By: donald otnesMy daughter called me at 10:15 pm on July 2, 2009. She had people setting off fireworks in her housing district. The kids were firing off the ones that sound like a bomb going off. Are people that stupid to let kids have fireworks that could blow up and take a hand off or even there face.
    • Posted By: miss americaMy family is apparently among the wild, irresponsible rednecks in unincorporated Sedgwick county that have shot off fireworks every year on the 4th since I was a baby. It's true there is a need to protect farmers' wheatfields, so I can understand why the county might ban the big fireworks that fly up in the air, and bottle rockets, etc. But, why shouldn't we be able to at least set off the smaller fireworks, such as fountains, that are less dangerous? Why are our families denied the privilege of celebrating the 4th in a safe, fun way just because we live in the unincorporated areas? This fireworks ban on the 4th needs to be loosened up. It's really not fair.
    • Posted By: aThink about this people! Fireworks are loud and anoying! I am so sick of people setting them off late at night while we are trying to sleep! My baby is being kept up by fireworks because people set them off at two in the morning!Please just think about where you are setting them off like close to houses and apartment buildings. Those are not good places to be doing them!
    • Posted By: Firefighters daughterFor those who think that firefighters just "sit around" you obviously have no idea what these people do. Just looking at the 4th, I can recall as a child how we all wondered if my dad would get to finish his hamburger before being called out to yet another of the many fires he went on that day . The work they do isn't restricted to a summer holiday. Think about the gear they wear...heavy coats, boots, air tanks, even on 100 degree days. Take a walk in their boots and face the fires, car accidents, tornado/storms, floods, and other emergencies they must face with courage, calm, and strength in order to save lives and property. As for "washing the truck" and other maintenance that must be done, do you want a rusted out, broken hosed truck showing up at your house because they DIDN't do those things? I hope they do get a chance to relax, eat, sleep, etc. between the emergencies they must face. I want a well rested and ready fire fighter showing up at my house should I ever need one
    • Posted By: rebeccahey does anyone know if the little boy that went into QT has been found? I know this isn't the topic but I just wanted to know.
    • Posted By: h: I believe that fireworks like Black Cats can be used in Derby as well as Wichita (it's been a long time since I've done any here so I wouldn't definitely know). But they might be setting off something bigger like an M50. The main problems they've had is with the ones that burst into showers of colored balls and sparks like we see in the big displays, roman candles, M80s and the ones that spray out sparks. The Eagle Beacon, last year, said that a good rule of thumb is if they shoot out sparks more than about 6 feet from the device then they are probably illegal.
    • Posted By: hwell they are sure shooting them in derby and we're in sedgwick county either they are not banned or the police in derby are not doing anything about the ones that are shooting off fireworks already. Frankly I'm sick of it, the neighborhood kids are shooting them off close to my property and my dogs are having fits, a call to the local police dpt says nothing they can do....so if they are banned in sedgwick county then they should be banned in derby and the derby police dpt needs to start enforcing the ban, if they aren't banned in derby then they need to be, there are other ways of having a good time on the 4th of July without having to endanger your yard, my yard, your life!!!!
    • Posted By: If everyone was a responible person that means for their self and for the one's that have children, then we wouldn't have had these laws made.The population is so high now that the fire departments are on overload because of the people that will not take responsiblity for their actions.And as far as the fire department setting around!!! Let your house be on fire and then have to wait because these people are not at their work area's because you think they are setting around.I would hate for them to be kept busy 24/7. What would happen to our town without them if that were the case.Already the street that I live on is littered with trash from fire works because people are not responsibly.(not all)
    • Posted By: DI completely agree with Anonymous at 9:26. Linda, unless you've been living under a rock, it's been well known for years that fireworks are illegal in the city limits. They make the same announcements every year. They don't sell the "big" illegal fireworks in the city but everyone still goes out of city limits to buy them and then come back home and shoot them off out in the neighborhood streets. I've seen fireworks in my neighborhood that would rival the ones at riverfest and Lawrence Dumont stadium and they aren't legal in the city.
    • Posted By: Cliff: That's true but when they are burned off purposely there are fire control measures in place. When someone sets a fire with fireworks they tend to run away and then it gets out of control. Like I said, I've missed work because of people who do this. The reason why they made them illegal in Sedgwick County to begin with is because most people here are not responsible enough to use them safely. And Linda: They've been telling people every year that they are illegal. Most people just don't pay attention. And they only selll fireworks in Wichita that you can set off in Wichita. That's why they've always said "Shoot them where you buy them".
    • Posted By: RodI'm with 'Anonymous on Jul 1, 2009 at 08:08 AM'... Helps us Obama! We need you to protect us from ourselves! ALL PRAISE OBAMA!!!
    • Posted By: LindaOk, for one I think if they were illegal, than why didn't we know about it along time ago. I bet that the majority of the people that lives in Wichita didn't know this, and I think it is not right to start enforcing it NOW, I mean come on the main reason why people shoot of fireworks is for the kids entertainment, Also if its going to be illegal than why on earth should selling fireworks at the stands not be? People see the signs that fireworks are illegal, but when they are driving around wichita and see firework stands it just tempts them that much more. So I think its not right.
    • Posted By: cliffanonomous at 8;08, fireworks are a tradition on the fourth of july. and the "tinderbox "harvesed wheat fields are usually burnt off this time of year anyway even without fireworks.
    • Posted By: Bottle Rocket Roger: What makes you think being American means you should have the right to set off explosives? For the idiots who think they need to have fireworks: how many of you have to call into work and tell your boss you can't come in because some moron set fire to your house or yard? What about when they go outside the city & set them off in newly harvested wheat fields that are nothing more than tinderboxes at this time of year? Every year for the past six years I've lost pay because idiots cannot control themselves or the fires they set.
    • Posted By: donits really sad,,,,we are not hardly even "independent" anymore,,,the government has "used" up all are rights,,,,,like the ol' saying goes though "just be glad your not getting ALL the government you pay for",,,,,period, end of sentence !!!!
    • Posted By: Anonymous who is coming down on firefighters and their "lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals" has no clue what firefighters do and how many calls many of the stations get,though many are medical. Firefighters are not exactly unpatriotic joy-squelchers, but they are supposed to educate the general public about fire safety. If you even understood all the job entailed you wouldn't talk like that.
    • Posted By: Bottle Rocket RogerWhen I lived in a town just north of wichita,we were able to shoot fireworks ALL day long for a week..Park City allows fireworks ALL day long for week,NO problems in either town! We celebrate the 4th like americans in these towns! The people that made fireworks illegal in Wichita and hate the fireworks are ALL UNAMERICAN! Go hide in you're basements and shake like a coward..the M80's are coming!
    • Posted By: We need two things immediately. One, a petition to remove this descriminatory 1978 law against residents of the county, and secondly, another petition to remove the authors of this law if they are still in office, and any other person in authority that supports it. I'll drive any distance to sign those petitions. Our tax dollars were used to print and post these signs and will also be used again to remove them, and patrol neighborhoods looking for little kids shooting ladyfinger firecrackers. This travesty of the use of our tax dollars must be exposed with those that have attacked Independence Day.
    • Posted By: BobEnforce the law! Many firewoks are dangerous, destructive, and disturbing--especially to pets.
    • Posted By: I never knew there were so many un-educated people around the state. It even says in the text of the story, that the fire department is not going to be doing extra patrolling, due to staffing. People are very careless with their fireworks in the "uncorperated" area's of the county. You add wind, and some dry wood, or brush.. And you cause a very dangerous situation, and put those "poorly staffed" fire deparments that respond in danger. ****If you live in a town/city in "sedgwick County".. you need to check your local laws. The no fireworks law - is for "uncorprated" - aka *NOT IN CITY LIMITS*
    • Posted By: MichelleCan't we come to a compromise? Make them illigal everyday of the year, except the 4th? I agree with the ones on here that said we are celebrating our FREEDOM! This is what the USA is about. Hotdogs, baseball and fireworks! 8-)
    • Posted By: Kristy"But many like Sedgwick County Resident Michael Dixson don't plan on breaking the law." Seriously - someone who writes for a news station should be familiar with proper grammar usage.
    • Posted By: How ironic it is that it's Independance Day however; they tell you that you can't fire off any fireworks.....at least any that are worth paying money for. Yes, we're slowly on our way to becoming a communist country. I miss Archie Bunker!
    • Posted By: Why even celebrate??? Pretty sad when Amerians can't participate in the tradation and celebration of America's Indepandance. I feel for you rual Sedwick County people. Sedwick County SUCKS!!
    • Posted By: TimThe Fire Department IS NOT encouraging people to call 911 every time they see people shooting fireworks, this will create an unnecessary strain on the 911 system. The problem is being worked on and will take time to get things all straightened out. If you have an emergency or a problem that warrants calling 911 by all means call 911. What is not needed is a call to 911 every time you see someone shooting a firecracker.
    • Posted By: The fire departments are going out of their way with NO FIREWORKS signs just because they don't want to have to work any more than they have to. Little fire here and there disrupts their lazy days of washing the trucks and sleeping and cooking meals!
    • Posted By: topperat one time you couldn't shoot fire works in dodge, now that we can the 2nd through the 5th i think. i havent heard of more fires or whatever it is you think is going to happen if you were to allow.. its the 4th of july, and you stoping people from celebrating. thats dumb if you ask me. besides, people are going to shoot them off no matter what you do.
    • Posted By: FrankieThe Fire Department says it only enforces the law against fireworks in Sedgwick County, but I've lived here since 1938 and I remember that it was the Sedgwick County Fire Department that pushed for the County Commissioners to pass the illegal fireworks law.
    • Posted By: anoymousIt is a little confusing, because Park City has fireworks tents all over, but I thought Bel Aire and Park City were actually their own "cities", and not part of unincorporated Sedgwick County. And they are allowed in Goddard,I checked out the website. I wish there was a central list posted where they are legal/illegal, because I do think there is confusion about this, especially when I thought I heard people in Bel Aire saying they purchased permits in the past. Can anyone elaborate?
    • Posted By: DebbyIf they are illegal why are they sold in the city where they are illegal?
    • Posted By: Isn't it funny how it's called Independance Day but yet big brother wants to tell us we can't shoot fireworks? Screw you big brother!! I'm firing mine off!!
    • Posted By: ElmerI saw on the news that you are asking the neighbors to report the people who are using fireworks to the police. Hitler did the same thing when enforcing his laws. Are we coming closer to socialist government, or are you just trying to create a community that is untenable due to loss of trust in neighbors? I can't believe we are repeating history again.
    • Posted By: bobi think the county is forgetting what we are celebrating, our independence. so they should let us shoot them where you buy them.
    • Posted By: JustinLand of the Free, My hind end. Restrictions yes, understandable. But, all out ban? This is not the America I fought for!!!!! Maybe before long we won't have any independence to celebrate!!! And I'm sure the fire fighters are just having to do what there told. Heck, most of them love fire or they wouldn't be doing there job.
    • Posted By: "fire dept only enforces the law" im sure they had a say in how it was created. thats like saying police dont have a quota when writing tickets when im sure they do. how else are police measured when trying for promotions and raises--its by how many tickets they write, how many crimes they solve, ect. people are gonna shoot off fireworks and worry bout what happens later because this is the one time in the year that we get to do so! plus it helps celebrate america's birthday !!
    • Posted By: MikeaI sure wish there was something we could do about the rednecks who insist on setting off the big heavy skybursts in our neighborhood at 1am every night. Fireworks should be illegal inside the city. Loud car radios are, and fireworks are more dangerous.
    • Posted By: BobOk maybe this is a stupid question, but what is unincorporated Sedgwick County? What is meant by that?
    • Posted By: AJ SimkatuEveryone knows that fireworks that go up in the sky are illegal, even in the city of Wichita. The problem is that nobody cares. Most people think the ban is a ridiculous overreaction to a small problem. People are sick of the nanny state telling us what we can and can't do with our own lives and property. What's next, ban skydiving, skiing, riding dirt bikes, mountain climbing? The government needs to mind its own business and stay out of ours.