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.

[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.

[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?!