The woman charged with child abandonment after a newborn baby was found in a toilet at a Wal-Mart store in May will not have her identity protected.

Judge Stephen Carter threw out a publication ban protecting April Halkett’s identity. The 21-year-old’s name had been protected by a ban since her first court appearance on September 13, 2007.

At the November 5, 2007 hearing regarding the publication ban, Sean Sinclair – acting for the Prince Albert Daily Herald and the Saskatoon StarPhoenix – argued that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. He argued that the publication ban infringed on freedom of the press.

Judge Carter agreed. He said “criminal trials and procedures such as preliminary hearings are always open, public hearings and are subject to a public airing which includes the name of the accused.”

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