The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 03:53 PM

California McDonald's Employee Tries To Flush Newborn Baby Down Toilet

A McDonald’s employee tried to flush her newborn baby down the toilet. Thankfully, the infant survived the ordeal.

The Sacramento Bee reports that Sarah Lockner, who is a cashier at McDonald’s, is facing an attempted murder charge for trying to flush her baby down the toilet at the restaurant.

Lockner reportedly complained of stomach pain and went to use the restroom while working a shift on September 4. She returned to the restroom multiple times that evening, so her coworkers became concerned. When they went to check on her, they saw blood on the floor of the restroom.

Although Lockner reportedly tried to dismiss the blood as a heavy period, her coworkers were not convinced. One coworker reportedly looked into Lockner’s bathroom stall and “saw a newborn baby face down in the toilet bowl.”

Although Lockner pleaded with coworkers not to call police, police were called and arrived to find Lockner holding the infant.


Although the baby had no pulse and was not breathing, officers were able to resuscitate the child. It is not known if the baby sustained any lasting injuries or brain damage from the ordeal. Lockner has been charged with attempted murder, as well as felony child abuse and inflicting significant bodily injury. Lockner claims that she didn’t know she was pregnant.