Nebraska's safe-haven law, designed for desperate mothers of newborns, has has unintended consequences – the dumping of older children. This week, a 15-year-old girl was dumped by her father. A few days ago, it was a troublesome 12-year-old boy left behind.
California's safe-haven law is typical of most other states (click HERE and click HERE for Spanish language). A parent can surrender a baby at a public or private hospital, or designated fire station, within 72 hours of birth without fear of arrest or prosecution. This allows a distraught parent, who might otherwise harm the baby, to use a safe haven.
In Nebraska, people from throughout the country as using the law's loophole to dump their children, no matter the age, without fear of prosecution.
Hard for most of us to comprehend giving up a baby; it seems unconscionable to give up on a child you have raised for years. But this is another reflection of tough times, when hope turns to despair for many. What options should parents have, and should the Nebraska law be amended? Comment here.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
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2 comments:
Yes, I do think that Nebraska should amend its Safe Haven law. It is one thing for a desperate new parent to leave a newborn child in the care of doctors, nurses, etc. who can ensure the proper care of the little one (which is tragic, but less so than finding an infant in the garbage). However, when it comes to leaving older children - especially teens - it communicates a horrible message to the child. Regardless of how bad any family's personal finances may get, it demonstrates to the teen that they are not loved (despite any "rebellion") and that their parents would rather give up on them than guide them through these trying years by showing love and affection. How terribly tragic! Teens can sometimes be a little rough around the edges. But that doesn't mean that they don't feel hurt by such abandonment. Plan to gather around the kitchen table as a family as often as possible ... Turn off the T.V. and the Wii/Playstation/Nintendo systems and chat about the day. But most importantly, never let your family go to bed without telling them how much you love them. Sure, they might huff and roll their eyes sometimes ... but that doesn't mean that they don't hear (or don't appreciate) knowing that they have a loving family around them. If America REALLY wants to see change, it has to start there in your own homes.
I wonder, is this more an opportunity for parents to "dump" difficult children? Is it more about "fear" than "finances?"
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