A Secret Safe Place for Newborns
I was just reading an article in the latest issue of Redbook magazine (when I anticipate a slow day, I bring a magazine to read). It is about a journalist in Mobile, AL who helped devised a program called "A Secret Safe Place for Newborns". All area hospitals provide a "drop site" for unwanted babies and there is no criminal prosecution. Since this program was set up in November 1998, Mobile has saved five babies and no infant- abandonment deaths.
I know there is a state legislator here in South Carolina who wants to create a bill allowing mothers to legally leave their unwanted babies at hospitals up to a certain age. Critics of the bill say this would lead to an increase in child abandonment cases. However, those in favor of such a bill say it would reduce the number of abandonment deaths.
I stated earlier that my sister and brother-in-law suffered five miscarriages before finally adopting a new born baby boy 18 months ago. Every time my sister heard of a baby being found dead somewhere, it made her so angry. I saw the heartache they felt because they wanted a child so much, and someone could just leave their baby in a dumpster to die.
Does anyone else think this is a good idea and it is a trend that should continue in other cities as well?
[This message has been edited by AKAtude (edited June 15, 2000).]
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