Little Mary Ellen & New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
... small areas. She had many visible wounds and scars. The case was investigated and her care taker Mrs. Connolly was arrested and sent to prison for one year. Mr. Connolly according to the arrests made, was apparently not to blame in the least. Bergh had appealed to Elbridge T. Gerry when he first became concerned about Mary Ellen. Gerry had acted as lawyer for Mary Ellen and did so typically for the ASPCA. Gerry also became president of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children (NYSPCC) which was created in December of 1874. The NYSPCC was enacted out of “the necessity for the existence of an organized society for the prevention of similar acts of atrocity” as in the case of little Mary Ellen. This society would be composed of prominent citizens (75% women) who would aid already existing institutions that did not actively seek out the “little unfortunates whose lives were rendered miserable by the system of cruelty and abuse,” and law enforcement officers. The society would be free of religious doctrine and political influences. In one year the NYSPCC was seemingly very active. They posted a list of 72 children they had “disposed of” the placements ranged from restoring children to their own home after being stolen, to being sent to Randall’s Island which at the time housed an insane asylum, a hospital and an almshouse. The group set up a code that dictated when the law had a right to step in. Among the offenses were desertion under age six, failure to furnish food, clothing, shelter or medical attention, causing a minor to beg, prostitute, acrobat, wire walk, or practice any deed which threatens the child’s life, limb, health, or morals. Children had certain rights that even their parents must abide by. ...