It'll be our little secret

"The Nebraska legislature's new "safe haven" law for unwanted babies, like other states' laws, allows them to be dropped off anonymously at hospitals to discourage abortions (and neglect by unfit parents). However, unlike other states' laws, Nebraska's applies not just to infants, but "minors," because, said Sen. Tom White, "All children deserve our protection." In September, the first two non-infants were abandoned, as exasperated parents gave up on rebellious sons aged 11 and 15, and critics say the law could apply to those up to age 19." [Lincoln Journal Star, 9-15-08]

Hmmmm.

I know this isn't meant to be funny. I mean not being able to look after your children is terrible.

But giving up your teens? Where do they get dropped off? At the hospital coffee shop? Maybe you just leave them loitering in the magazine section of the gift shop?

Mmmkay.

But then again, maybe this is useful information to have.

I mean when things get really crazy around here from now on I'm just gonna announce that I'm going to buy my kids a one way bus ticket to Lincoln, Nebraska. 

I'm thinking that just having this threat available might give me the upper hand in some of my future 'negotiations' with my kids.

I like having a plan.

Comments

[jori-o]

Ya, and I guess a single dad most recently left nine kids at a hospital...how sad! It is one of those little secrets that occasionally this sounds like a good idea, though, huh?

syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/.../09/nebraska_dad_who_left_9_kids_s.html

[Lisa]

I think it's better to have the law and allow people to, er, drop off their kids at a hospital rather than dump them God Knows Where. On the other hand, if they/we had the critical social programs that can support parents in bad times, people may not have to revert to such drastic measures.

[Karen]

Ha! I can see it now: kids all across America will be threatened with "Nebraska" if they don't shape up.

[Jean & Mike]

Nebraska safe haven law needs to follow New England's lead

October 5, 2008

The success of Baby Safe Haven New England is unquestionable, our 6 safe haven laws work!

Between 2001 and 2006 all 6 New England states passed their Baby Safe Haven laws where a frightened young Mom can safely surrender a newborn baby to a hospital worker, fire or police station staff without fear of prosecution. Though the age limits vary from 72 hours to 30 days over a dozen hours old newborns have been safely surrendered in the region.

Our area has had a lower then the national average for safe surrenders mostly because of awareness campaigns which emphasize pre-crisis counseling through hotlines and web sites. Nationally 1,200 babies have been safely surrendered under the 50 Baby Safe Haven laws.

New England's Baby Safe Haven laws are well-conceived and have brought about the desired results. Nebraska lawmakers can't say the same thing, as they rushed the wording of their last in the nation law.

As the 50th state to adopt the law — it took effect in July — Nebraska did things differently due to some overly stubborn opposition. In a compromise the Nebraska law allows parents to leave a child, without a specific age limit, at a licensed hospital, without explanation.

The results were a spate of teen and pre-teen abandonments at area hospitals. Children up to 17 were left with medial center staff. One widowed and out of work Dad left 9 of his children at a hospital causing a national media focus.

These results could have been easily predicted.

In New England our Baby Safe Haven laws protect newborns and give a safe way out to overwhelmed parents facing an agonizing decision; they shouldn't be for people who might decide after 10 or 16 years that they just can't be parents.

Nebraska lawmakers should follow our lead and promulgate regulations where the Baby Safe Haven law models our New England example, and for the older children a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) regulation handles the needs of older children and teens.

Nebraska should also follow our awareness campaigns. In New England it's young people who spread the word about our laws, and the success is beyond the imagination of the adults who crafted the legislation.

New England just went through a 20 month period without an unsafe abandonment. A few weeks ago a newborn was found on a doorstep of a Newton home, alive and well, and just a couple of blocks from the Newton Wellesley Hospital. It's been 21 months since a tragic deadly abandonment, and it's hoped that time period stretches on endlessly.

These successes have been traced back to early awareness campaigns lead by young people like Sebastien Charmant, whose fellow Boston Arts Academy students wrote, produced and starred in three television commercials about Baby Safe Haven. The "Rap" PSA was even reviewed by local music magazines.

http://vimeo.com/1006939

In 2007, 19 year old singer/songwriter Renee Marcou, of Wilmington, began a radio/TV station tour going on the air with over 30 DeeJays, talk show hosts, and news anchors telling everyone about our laws, hotlines and web sites where info and counseling are available. Renee's "powerful message" has reached several million listeners/viewers and the results were a record 20 month end of abandonments.

http://vimeo.com/1452812

This team is now being joined by 19 year old Worcester based singer Miguel Perez, who will bring this message to Spanish speaking radio, TV and newspaper media outlets.

http://vimeo.com/1188010

This very experienced team has been made available to Nebraska, and many other states, to help spread awareness.

The jury is now in, Baby Safe Haven works! Awareness campaigns lead by courageous young women and men spreads the word to the targeted audience of teens to 20s. They have lead the way, and states such as Nebraska should learn from them.

(Jean & Mike are founders of Baby Safe Haven New England)

[margie]

well, tired mama, you seem to have drawn yourself some attention!! seriously, what's to stop the fifteen year old from getting home before you do?

[Lynn]

Margie -- hilarious!