Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 21st Precinct 53-10-20 (016) – "Case of the Foundling"
Date: February 22, 2026
Podcast Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Original Air Date of Radio Play: October 20, 1953
Episode Overview
This episode brings listeners back to the bustling heart of New York City's 21st Precinct during the 1950s. "The Case of the Foundling" centers on a seemingly simple but emotionally complex case: a couple, the Wigans, find themselves saddled with the care of a baby whose mother, Mrs. Heppel, left him with them under the pretense of returning soon—yet never did. The episode explores themes of responsibility, abandonment, love, and the pressures of doing the right thing when personal emotions and financial realities collide.
Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown
1. Introduction to the Case (00:33–04:33)
- Captain Kennelly outlines his responsibilities and introduces listeners to the precinct's daily rhythms.
- Harry Wigan comes to the police station seeking advice:
- Weeks prior, his wife Cora took in a baby ("Richie") from Mrs. Heppel, a woman she barely knew, agreeing to board the baby for $12.50 a week.
- After the initial payment, Mrs. Heppel disappeared without further contact or payments.
- Harry feels resentful, not wanting to be taken advantage of, despite having no ill will towards the baby.
Memorable Quote:
"Just a rotten, lousy thing for that mother to do. And I ain't gonna be the chump in the deal."
— Harry Wigan (04:20)
2. Tensions at Home (09:15–12:01)
- Captain Kennelly visits the Wigans' home to mediate after neighbors report a heated argument.
- Inside, the strain of the situation is clear: Cora is emotionally attached to Richie, while Harry remains practical and financially stressed.
- Cora reveals her heartbreak at the thought of giving up Richie, as she has longed for a child of her own.
Notable Quotes:
"Just because the mother abandoned him. Is that a reason for me to abandon him?"
— Cora Wigan (11:49)
"How many children do you have, Captain?"
— Cora Wigan (11:01)
"Three."
— Captain Kennelly
3. The Night’s Unraveling: Cora Disappears (14:00–18:00)
- After agreeing they’ll bring the baby to the police the next day, Cora takes Richie and leaves in the night, distraught at the idea of giving him up.
- Harry, upon waking, is frantic and reports her missing to the captain, expressing confusion and regret:
- He admits that while he also likes the child, he resents being tricked by Mrs. Heppel.
- Police issue an alert, and all patrolmen are put on lookout.
Memorable Moment:
Harry’s growing realization of Cora's emotional distress and his own ambivalence over the situation.
4. Reunited in the Subway (18:00–20:36)
- Cora is found sitting with Richie in a subway station, unwilling to surrender the baby.
- The emotional core of the story is revealed as Cora expresses the depths of her longing for a child and her unwillingness to give Richie up.
- Officers gently escort her and the baby to the precinct.
Dialogue Highlight:
"I don't want to give Richie up. I can't give him up. I wanted him so long. You've no idea how long."
— Cora Wigan (20:01)
5. The Final Resolution & Emotional Confrontation (21:20–26:20)
- At the precinct, Captain Kennelly explains that by law, if the mother has failed to pay or give an address, the child is considered abandoned and will be sent to the New York Foundling Home.
- Cora pleads to keep Richie, but Harry is still resistant and overwhelmed.
- In a dramatic twist, Harry confesses he HAS been receiving the payments (12.50 a week) from Mrs. Heppel but spent the money gambling, hiding it from Cora to support his preferred narrative.
- With the payments up to date, there is no legal basis for Richie to be considered abandoned—he may remain in their care.
Notable Quotes:
"I want to admit to you right here and now that Mrs. Hepple sent me 12 and a half dollars every week to the place where I work. Every week." — Harry Wigan (25:23)
"What did you do with the money?" — Cora Wigan (25:51)
"I spent every last cent playing the ponies..." — Harry Wigan
"Can we keep him now, doctor? Can we?"
— Cora Wigan (26:20)
6. Epilogue: The Human Merry-Go-Round (26:40–27:45)
- Captain Kennelly closes with a reflection on the ongoing complexity and humanity of police work.
- The episode ends with the trademark "merry-go-round" theme—lives intertwined, each case a unique challenge.
Key Character Dynamics
- Cora Wigan: Childless, deeply loving, desperately wants to keep Richie; emotionally vulnerable.
- Harry Wigan: Resentful, hiding the truth, conflicted between pride, financial strain, and affection for Richie.
- Captain Kennelly: Compassionate, practical, seeks fair solutions within the constraints of the law.
Tension: The episode portrays the struggles between rational duty and emotional desire, personal pride and generosity, secrecy and honesty in marriage.
Memorable Quotes with Timestamps
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|--------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 04:20 | Harry Wigan | "Just a rotten, lousy thing for that mother to do. And I ain't gonna be the chump in the deal." | | 11:49 | Cora Wigan | "Just because the mother abandoned him. Is that a reason for me to abandon him?" | | 20:01 | Cora Wigan | "I don't want to give Richie up. I can't give him up. I wanted him so long. You've no idea how long." | | 25:23 | Harry Wigan | "I want to admit to you right here and now that Mrs. Hepple sent me 12 and a half dollars every week to the place where I work. Every week." | | 25:51 | Cora & Harry | "What did you do with the money?" / "I spent every last cent playing the ponies..." | | 26:20 | Cora Wigan | "Can we keep him now, doctor? Can we?" |
Important Segments by Timestamp
- Case presented to police: 01:59–04:33
- Home confrontation: 09:33–12:01
- Harry reports Cora and baby missing: 14:00–18:00
- Cora found at subway station: 18:00–20:36
- Precinct confrontation & confession: 21:20–26:20
Tone & Style
- Warm, earnest, and occasionally tense.
- Period-authentic dialogue evokes empathy and realism.
- The stories are character-driven, focusing on dilemmas more subtle than the headlines—both legal and emotional.
Summary Conclusion
"Case of the Foundling" exemplifies the human drama at the core of the old time police procedural. Rather than a routine drop-off of an abandoned child, the case exposes the vulnerability of would-be parents, the fragility of marriage under pressure, and the ways people bend the truth to protect themselves—and, sometimes, those they love.
The episode ends on a cautiously hopeful note, with Richie allowed to stay due to a technicality, and the Wigans facing the need for more honest communication. In classic 21st Precinct fashion, the case isn’t wrapped up in a neat bow, but it offers listeners a window into real, complicated lives behind every headline.
For listeners who missed this episode:
It’s a poignant snapshot of Golden Age radio drama—blending realistic police work with the messy, heartfelt challenges of ordinary people.