And lastly, Nebraska overhauls its child abandonment law

[gategrrl]

Nebraska changes law on abandonment of children of all ages

Nebraska state lawmakers on Friday overhauled a law that allowed people to abandon their children of any age legally at hospitals, a senator's office confirmed. 

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A new law put the age limit for the so-called safe haven law at 30 days (one month) for a newborn, according to the office of Senator Arnie Stuthman.

The change came in a special session called by Governor Dave Heineman in a 43-5 vote.

The prior safe haven law approved in July was meant to apply to infants but ended up -- because there was no age specified -- allowing parents to abandon many children including teens as old as 17 at area hospitals.

Legislators passed the new bill stating: "no person should be prosecuted for any crime based solely upon the act of leaving a child 30 days old or younger in the custody of an employee on duty at an hospital licensed by the state of Nebraska," an aide to Stuthman said.

Embarrassed by the magnitude of the problem after 34 children -- mostly anonymous -- were handed over to the state, the governor called earlier this month for the state legislature to revise the law and specify an age limit.

On one day in September, 11 children, aged between one and 17 and some from the same family, were abandoned at a Nebraska hospital.

© 2008 AFP

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34 children dropped off at in Nebraska. That's amazing. I'd heard (though haven't confirmed) that some of those parents/guardians drove in from out of state to let the state of Nebraska deal with their children, instead of going through child services in their own states.

Comments

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Our society makes having children seem like this wonderful wholesome magical thing. We demonize the childless and attempt to criminalize those who want to terminate pregnancies. Conversely, being forced into parenthood is seen as an appropriate punishment ('being made to face the consequences of your actions') for having unsanctioned sex. There are no support structures in place for parents who realize, at some point, that they've made a horrible mistake and just aren't cut out for being parents; we don't even 'allow' that thought. To not want to raise your own children is inhuman; subhuman. In some states, I'm thinking specifically of Texas, you can't relinquish your parental rights unless there's someone else standing there ready to take them on.

In short, I'm surprised there weren't more children involved.

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

Excellent points, some of which I hadn't thought of so far.

Children as punishment! How horrible! I know of the pervasive attitude toward teen parents who go ahead and have the babies they accidentally create and who then "stick their parents" with the grandchild/ren. Truly. Do these parents expect a mid to older teen, who hasn't been encouraged to act as an adult, to behave as if they ARE an adult?

It's hard enough when you know you wanted your kids when they start making you crazy! --And when you're a grown-up with adult responsibilities.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

There is a segment of the anti-abortion crowd that will, eventually, come out with the "they need to learn to deal with the consequences of their actions" talking point if you press them enough. That's coded speech for punishment.

Such a great start those kids get.

As to the grandparents taking the kids, they don't *have* to take them. I can tell you one thing right now. Aside from visits (even if they lasted the whole summer break), when I'm a grandmother, if my kid tries to foist her kids off on me, I might just take them... but she'd have to sign over her parental rights, first. If I'm going to raise a kid, I need to have full parental rights.

I've seen too many kids' lives ruined with the constant in and out and all about switching between homes and caregivers until they don't know what family and stability mean.

Raising kids is hard enough without having to do it under duress.

[superbadgirl]

There is a segment of the anti-abortion crowd that will, eventually, come out with the "they need to learn to deal with the consequences of their actions" talking point if you press them enough. That's coded speech for punishment.

I really fail to see how that would be an effective method, for anyone. It sure as hell isn't the right thing to do for the unwanted child, FCOL. This kind of mentality just makes a problem continue on through generations.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It's *not* effective, but trying to explain that to these folks is like trying to explain chaos theory to a brick wall. I was recently accused of being self-hating because I argued that pregnancy, for some women, at some times, is cruel and unusual punishment. I still haven't figured that one out.

[nialla]

Don't forget, it's all about the birthin'.

Once they're here, those people who are uber anti-choice don't seem to take much interest in unwanted children. They'd rather see them grow up with a miserable life and repeat the cycle.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

I think one of the reasons people feel that way is their wacko religious beliefs. Not something ordinary like being Christian and struggling with the concepts of ensoulment and the beginning of life, but rather the whole Calvinist schtick wherein people are rewarded or punished in this life based on how blessed they are by God. So, it doesn't matter how horrible your life is or what you've done, if you've held your mouth right and said just the right words when you've prayed, God will grant you health, wealth and happiness *here* as well as a place in heaven.

[amycooper.livejournal.com]

That drives me nuts. I can fully understand an argument based on someone concerned about when life begins. There's a lot of hypothesises, but no real answer. What I also find interesting it that those that I find arguing pro-life based on that tend to be less extreme (generally) and more willing to make reasonable exceptions (e.i. abortion should still be an option when the life of the mother is at risk or rape).

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Exactly. They're also more willing to agree that since they can't say one way or another that we shouldn't be writing restrictive laws based on a maybe. Most of the folks I've run into in this group are for waiting periods and counseling rather than forced pregnancy.

[nialla]

I've been hearing some radio reports about this on NPR.

One piece was an interview with one of the hospital employees who counsel people who bring their kids there under Safe Haven. Technically, the parents don't have to stay, but they try to at least get basic health info out of them if possible.

What they really try to do is see if they can figure out what's brought the parent(s) to this point and see if there's something that can be done.

For some, they had no idea of what help was available to them at home before taking such a drastic step. Others tried to get help locally and received none and were at the end of their rope.

Some of the parents did take their children out of state to Nebraska, but I'm pretty sure they said in at least one case it was a person who had not received any help locally.

The saddest story was the counselor telling about some young siblings (I think she said maybe 10 or so) who didn't understand what was going on. They just thought they were going to the doctor. When they realized they were going to be left behind, they started sobbing and begging, promising they'd be good.

While I don't think Safe Haven is a good idea for older children, I do wonder about what would have happened to the children if their parent(s) hadn't attempted Safe Haven. If they hadn't tried that, what horrible thing(s) could they have done?

While it may be dumping responsibility on the government to raise their child, at least they weren't dumping a body. Gives me some hope they at least want to try to make things work.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

They strike me as people who are simply in over their heads and they know they're drowning. They probably love their children, but can't handle the stress or the responsibility or the constant pressure of being on the job 24/7 year after year after year. In some cases, they probably have such limited life and social skills that taking care of themselves is a trial, let alone taking care of anyone else.

[nialla]

I have to cling to thinking at least they know they're drowning and are reaching out for help.

The "limited life and social skills" is one I'm always amazed over, but I see it time and again.

My mother has had to try to help some of her employees (including former ones coming to ask for help) with healthcare paperwork and understanding their own finances, because they just... don't know what to do.

One is 25 and his 21 year old brother works there too. They're living with their parents after both they and their parents maxed out all their credit and couldn't afford two homes.

Yet they still keep doing stuff like buying new trucks when they can barely pay their monthly bills. And each brother wanted their own vehicle, even though they work at the same place and could share a ride. Their parents do the same kind of stuff too.

They also have a tendency to be short-tempered and would rather break things they can't figure out instead of asking for help. One broke a new flip cellphone by flipping it all the way open, the other just threw his at a wall. So they're tossing away money on new items they don't need, breaking them before they've paid off their credit cards, then buying new ones.

Er, sorry, rant. I'm just glad they don't have any kids. I can't imagine how bad it would be for all involved.

[tejas.livejournal.com]

Consider that the boys are behaving the way their parents probably did at their ages.

Yeah.

[superbadgirl]

My mother has had to try to help some of her employees (including former ones coming to ask for help) with healthcare paperwork and understanding their own finances, because they just... don't know what to do.

Just last week I had to almost literally handhold a 36-year-old co-worker when the was completing an enrollment form for our new 403(b). Seriously, he wanted me to tell him where to allocate his funds. And I had to tell him three times where to sign (you know, that line that says "signature" below it...).

It's ridiculous how complacent some people are. How does anyone survive in the real world if they can't think for themselves on basic things like this?

[aostara.livejournal.com]

It's absolutely true that people drove kids in from out of state - they said they tried to get help for YEARS (many of these kids had mental issues - either mental illnesses of various times or retardation) and there was none available - not surprising, considering the priorities of the Bush administration.

Speaking of kids - my stepson is now 11. How did THAT happen?!