If a newborn baby is unwanted, there are options for the mother to walk away without being charged and without exposing her identity.
The Kansas Newborn Infant Protection Act is aimed at protecting infants under 45 days old if they are unwanted by their mothers. The act states that a parent — or any other person having lawful custody — can surrender an infant to any employee on duty at a fire station, city or county health department or medical care facility.
Attorney General Steve Six, along with the Kansas Child Death Review Board, sent a press release recently to raise awareness of the act.
“Recently the Attorney General’s Office has handled several cases involving new mothers who killed their newborns,” according to the press release. “In one such case, a women was convicted of killing her newborn son shortly after his birth in 2008.”
According to the press release, the circumstances include an unplanned pregnancy, hiding a pregnancy from friends or family, intentionally delivering the baby at home or somewhere away from medical attention.
To read complete story see the print edition or the online print edition.
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
Always good to have a "get out of jail free" card.
'enry
October 8, 2009 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
This appears to be a law that is sincerely aimed at protecting the innocent child even if that means giving up the right to punish the errant parent. It is good to see a law that gets those priorities straight.
October 8, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justacitizen (anonymous) says...
I agree, and many times parents are making a mature decision by giving up their child. Maybe they know they cannot provide for them or are drug addicted or something. At least they are trying to give their child a chance. Even if they have a selfish motive like they just don't want a kid, the kid will probably be better off because if the parents are willing to give their kid to a stranger, they probably don't have a lot of support in the family.
October 8, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Excellent move!!!! With having an adopted daughter and having praised her biological mother MANY times for giving us this WONDERFUL gift!!!! It is nice to see couples adopt from other lands, but will also be great, to see a couple adopt a child from THEIR homeland!!!!! This truly gives that young mother a choice and the baby a chance.
October 8, 2009 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justacitizen (anonymous) says...
aww, yay sandman!
October 8, 2009 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
I think I heard about this on some late-night infomercial...
'enry
"Do you want to try having a baby, but scared of the long-term commitment? Have no fear! With the Safe Haven Law, you can experience parenthood risk-free with a 45 day no obligation trial!
Take the gamble out of reproduction! Want a kid with blue eyes, but this one has brown? Not the gender you were hoping for? Parenthood not all it was cracked up to be? Perhaps the child cries too much or isn't as cute as your neighbor's baby. Simply return the child to your local fire department and try again!
The perfect solution for sexually active Catholics! Contraceptives may be frowned on, but luckily the Safe Haven Law is all natural! You've heard of "Plan B" or the "morning after pill"? Well, think of the Safe Haven Law is your "Plan C" or "10-month after pill"! Do as you please consequence free!
You can live your life worry free! Getting pregnant is no longer a moral conundrum or a life sentence. Thanks, Safe Haven Law!
Fine print: Safe Haven Law does not prevent 9 months of misery followed by a painful delivery. No reimbursement will be provided for associated medical bills. Safe Haven Law will not cover any related costs incurred during the 45 day trial period. You will be held responsible if your "return" is damaged upon arrival."
October 8, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
henry enough, accidents do happen would you rather have a safe kid or a dead one? Y seem pretty selfish, although i do understand ur side but i care more for the children!
October 8, 2009 at 5:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
guess henry never made a mistake, hmmmmmmmm, but i can name countless people including me that have, safe haven has my full vote god bless the children!
October 8, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
If we all quit responding to him maybe he will go away and seek the attention he so desperately craves elsewhere.
October 8, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
thank you popos remember me?
October 8, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
vote for biscuit
October 8, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Well of course I do....one of the original backers of biscuit's run for President.
October 8, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
oh yeah
October 8, 2009 at 5:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
"A vote for Biscuit is a vote for me"....,Those were the good old days......well kinda.
October 8, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
goodoleboy (anonymous) says...
Good program, but more needs done to address the root causes. Promoting abstinence only education was a big cornerstone of the last administration's agenda, and it just does not work. I'll probably catch hell for it but kids are kids and only giving them one set of tools to live by just will not work.
October 8, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
yeah they were this guy is such a of the wall televangalist
October 8, 2009 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
yeah but you never had sex then went home goin god what have i done?
October 8, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
i must be an outcast
October 8, 2009 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
you have no clue, i just about gave up my so but am so glad it never happen. I love him so much but i was so screwed up because a divorce that i could never take care of him. But here i am strong and with my son.
October 8, 2009 at 5:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Which is exactly why laws like this one or so necessary. Mistakes are made.....often by children who have no real way to know any better......and telling them to just wait is somewhat akin to sticking your finger in the hole in the dike.
And demanding that the child....as well as the parent.....pay some cost for the rest of their lives for making that mistake sounds like something right out of the Taliban playbook to me.
October 8, 2009 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
biscuit so true
October 8, 2009 at 6:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
biscuitboy and goodoleboy,I believe you are correct concerning many things but glad to see that you do approve of this action. As I've said, having adopted one child and then having "biological" children of our own, makes me TRULY appreciate what the "biological" mother of our daughter did. To me, when you carry that child inside, it is a PART of you. To feel that movement etc., what a wonderful experience. It would take such STRENGTH, knowing that you can't raise that child as you TRULY would want it to be raised, to give it up.
We have so many couples that are unable to have children of their own but have so much love to give. Many go outside of the US to do so, which isn't wrong but so much grander to be able to give a child love, a home in its own homeland.
Yes, we live in a wonderful time but also a very "sad" time.
It would be truly wonderful if we could teach our young to be
abstinence but believe it truly isn't realistic. Human nature is human nature BUT given in todays time there are so MANY ways to "prevent" that was not there in the 40's,50's etc.
We are speaking of LIFE and YES! there are mistakes made but isn't this the best answer? As you can tell, I feel abortion has its place but feel so many times we use that method for birth control. Just look about you, everywhere there is sex, the TV, movies etc. It is not only concerning the young but is showing up in depth with senior citizens beyond "birthing"age." Yes, teach "safe sex"!
October 8, 2009 at 6:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
d23_66801 (anonymous) says...
your not getting my point a child has the right to live with another family even if its not with the bio!
October 8, 2009 at 10:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
d23_66801
I believe sandman is getting your point...she recognizes that and has an adopted child . She's also looking at other benefits of the law as well as the impact it might have on reducing the number of abortions. Good post sandman.
October 9, 2009 at 5:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Local_Hispanic (Vic Rodriguez) says...
I would also say that I am with Henry Vlll. Don't get me wrong, I would rather see the babies go to deserving homes especially if the parent isn't able to provide. But I'm thinking down the road, I've heard Jr high and high school kids say already that there is no reason to "use protection" because she can just give the baby away. Maybe they were kidding around, maybe not?
The fact is, if the gov't is going to provide a "free pass" for young mothers, then they do need to keep track of who is bringing the babies in. Which would include the names of both parents and the reason for giving up the child. Plus allow a limited number of times someone can bring in a child.
I know some of you will disagree with me, but what happens when someone abuses this law? Rewrite the law again?
I understand mistakes are made, BUT if someone continues to do the same mistake then something needs to be done. And we all know that the young kids of today are very knowledgeable about parenthood, contraception and raising a family that we can't blame them or their supportive parents for this?
I just hope that this law was really thought out, unlike the bailouts, in order to prevent to rise in children being brought to the local fire departments. And to prevent the abuse of this law which would hinder the people that really need this.
Sorry just had to say my peace, so comment away!!!!
October 9, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
For the record, I think this is a good law. I think it’s the best option for some babies and it provides another option to expecting mothers. I don't think it'll get abused because I doubt many women will want to go through the whole pregnancy process to just give the baby away. After the first couple "mistakes" I think they'll learn their lesson so they don't have to go through it again.
My question is: What happens when you have the child in a hospital? Don't they keep record of who had a baby? Suppose you leave the hospital and give your child away. Won't people (agencies) ask where your baby went? I don’t really want to raise a kid, so it’s nice to have a “get out of jail free” card if it comes to that.
'enry
October 9, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
Local_Hispanic......I don't doubt for a second that there will be those that try to take advantage of the law...or to use it to its full advantage, Similar things have probably happened to every law that has ever been written. If we used that as an excuse for inaction we would never write any laws at all. It might even need to be tweaked a time or two......many laws are.
But the need is real and to claim we should do nothing because some few people might misuse the opportunity is to deny the seriousness of the problem.
October 9, 2009 at 11:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
giggles (anonymous) says...
I guess I would rather have someone abuse the law than to abuse a child. There are so many people out there wanting a baby of their own that I don't think that they will have to worry about staying in the system. To me it is kind of "win/win".
Everyone makes some mistakes in their life some are big some are small, some learn from them, some do not. We cannot control everyone, nor should we.
Let's face it though, we are talking about human nature. To err is human...
October 9, 2009 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I agree giggles...I agree
October 9, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
giggles and biscuitboy, Super post!!!! Yes, some will misuse, for that is "human nature" BUT what we truly are talking about is the "affect of action", the child. Giving that child a much better life then if the law was not there.
I do know what I'm talking about! Yes, I have an adopted child BUT I am also a adopted child!!!!!! THANK HEAVENS!!!! I was very blessed by having WONDERFUL adoptive parents, so when my husband and I married, he knew of my desire to try to help pay back by adopting a child and believe me, we had/have never regretted.
Yes, this brings up MUCH! Our legal system I am very proud of concerning "adoption". The records should be "opened", which in Kansas they are. I first cleared with my adoptive family to do my own "biological" background, to know my "roots". I (we) have explained to our daughter that "yes" she has that RIGHT!!!! to know of her "roots". She has chosen to date, not, but that RIGHT is there!!!! We handing over all information that we had concerning her "birth" mother/parents.
As I stated earlier, I sincerely hope this law will aid many young women in "birthing" that child instead of abortion. I am very thankful that my "birth" mother and the "birth"mother of my daughter did not select "abortion"! Do we need to get to the "root" of the problem? You bet!!!! By providing BETTER sex education!
October 9, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
I Think it is good if they require mom to have TUBES TIED!!! to many cant take care of their kids the state puts them up for adoption and biological has more I have adopted 2 grandbabies less then a year later bio has another baby I woildnt give up my grandbabies for nothing but enough is enough there are way to prevent pregnancys!!!!
October 9, 2009 at 2:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
Me, yes, there are way to prevent pregnancy and this SHOULD fall under "Sex Education". In the past, we EXPECTED the parent to handle, but it is proven, that, yes, a young person may know the "general" but NOT understanding the OVERALL expectation of the act. It would be super if each parent would sit down and explain in "depth", not only the act but what the consequences CAN be., making them liable for THEIR actions, but afraid in todays society that is very unlikely.This law will hopefully save lives and give many couples, unable to have children, a child.
October 9, 2009 at 2:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
me.......I think you are missing one important point......the minute you start keeping score and threatening action against the mother who crosses some arbitrary line, you kill the effectiveness of the law because the errant mothers will quit using the program.
October 9, 2009 at 3:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
SANDMAN i understand what you are saying but I talked and talked to my kids I had a baby when I was very very young my daughter did wait she was in her 20 but unfortunanly she couldnt care for them- then she had another one.all the babies are not guarenteed to get adopted and our foster care program is not the best these babies get moved around alot I know this for a fact. it only makes us feel better to beleive there is a great home waiting for all unwanted babies but its not always the case!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 9, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
HENRYVIII I hate to tell you but yes it will get abused how many women loose their kids because of abuse or neglect and continue to have more? I can tell you the number is very high. Pain dont bother them I guess. Because there would be no pain like the pain of not knowing where your child is and if they are ok and this dont seem to effect some women that would be more painful then any 9mo of pregnancy and labor
October 9, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
Iam very sad to say this but we live in a throw away society I know its suppose to bring down child abuse and baby deaths but its still sad
October 9, 2009 at 5:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
I am certainly not arguing that point me....it is very sad.
October 9, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sandman (anonymous) says...
me, I am very sorry but yes, you are correct, we do live in a "throw away" society but hopefully this law will help somewhat to get us on the right track. I also agree that to some women, they just don't care. I will not blame our foster system, for I believe they do the best they possibly can with what is available. Believe I said earlier that we live in "sad times" but I also remember reading concerning the earlier 1900"s and the "train" kids who were put on trains for the midwest/west in hoping of finding them a better life. We MUST start somewhere and hopefully this is a start.
October 9, 2009 at 8:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
I agree with the foster system doing the best they can but in reality iam afraid with this law lots of babies will be stuck in the system to many people are now adopting from other countries it seems to be the in thing right now when there are so many children of all ages right here needing good families.
October 12, 2009 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
I just recently had a friend whose an EMT in another state respond to a call where a child was left in the rain, to die. You honestly want to complain about these laws and then not throw a fit about children who are ditched on the side of the road, or murdered by their own parents?
You want to complain about things like this? Get off your butts and do something for the children rather then sit on a website in the comfort of your own home and be ungrateful.
DO SOMETHING. Instead of attempting to increase your e-peen online.
DO SOMETHING. Instead of gossiping in your little circle of friends who think they're better then everyone else.
DO SOMETHING. Instead of trying to blame a failing system, try to help fix it.
Try to help understand why people are having children and not being able to take care of them instead of assuming you're right with your made up assumptions.
Volunteer to help make children's lives better who are in the middle of a system that is to overburdened to give them all the attention they actually need. Get involved in your community, do some research and get informed.
By denying programs such as this, you're hurting children, not hurting adults. I think there's a big problem when people complain about things like this and not thinking about the benefit of the kids. It's crap that they do yes, get a "get out of fail free card" but I'd rather see a child get the help it needs rather then be abandoned behind a broken down old building or killed.
And foster care does suck, I've seen several awful awful homes in Kansas, so why don't people evaluate if they can take in a child and provide a loving home for a kid for a while until the parents get the help they need to be able to support their own kids again, or until a suitable adoptive parent comes along. You don't have to take in a kid you don't want to or one with severe problems or one in an age range you're not comfortable with. You can even be certified to only do temporary care, having a child for a couple days while they transition to a new foster home or back home with their parents.
Like I said, do some research. Be part of the solution instead of complaining about the problem.
October 12, 2009 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
These children are considered "adoptable" the moment they enter the system, unlike many that are removed from homes. These babies have been given up entirely with little or no family information to trace for the sake of giving other family members adoption opportunity. Being babies, they are adopted very rapidly unless there is an unusual health concern.....although, even then they are often adopted. The waiting list to adopt infants in this country is incredibly long, so these babies don't have to wait long.
Children who are removed from homes are not considered "adoptable" until parental reform efforts have been tried repeatedly and failed. Then the opportunity is usually given to any family member who has expressed interest and only if that doesn't work out are they publicly adoptable. By then, they are usually 7 years old or older and are carrying the baggage of the events that led to their removal as well as the years spent in foster care if that has been a rough experience for them. Few would-be adoptive parents are willing to take that on so the system gets overloaded and clogged.
This law saves babies from horrendous deaths or lives and gives them a second chance before they are old enough to be damaged by their first chance. Hopefully, their adoptive parents will not sell them short and will teach them that they that they can control every aspect of their humanity so they do not repeat their bio's irresponsibility. If you have been uncontrolled and irresponsible there needs to be merciful options for you to correct as best as you can what you have messed up. This is one of those mercies we can offer through our society to people who realize they've messed up and really want to fix what they can for the second life they have potentially ruined instead of taking the chicken way out.
October 12, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
TOXIC PINK-how ,many children have you fostered? how much money or time have you donated to the farm inc. I HAVE DONE BOTH AND ADOPTED 2 children I dont sit and do nothing before you jump to conclusions please get your facts straight I WORRY about those who may abuse this and keep havin babies YES i would rather this law then a child dying on the streets. I beleive it ought to extend to older kids also.I just dont know how well the system is set up to handle it. WAS THE POINT i WAS TRYING TO MAKE!!!!!!!!!
October 12, 2009 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
Then maybe, just maybe you need to shut up and realize I wasn't talking to you and pull your underwear out your butt while you're at it.
And turn your caps off, you're doing it wrong.
Jesus, you just jumped down someone's throat that was actually on your side. Good job.
October 12, 2009 at 9:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
me and TOXIC PINK......as I read both of your post, you need to be fighting your common enemy....ignorance and apathy....not each other.
October 13, 2009 at 6:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
You are right biscuitboy and toxicpink I just get worked up no children should be considered broken or unadoptable I adopted children with issues older children and they now with alot of tlc are doing great. Older chidren need lots of tlc so you are right if mothers cant or wont take care of their babies it is better to put them up for adoption but some dont realize this in the first 45 days or family pressue makes it hard for them to use safe haven laws before baby is to old. so it would be good to higher the age limit most children get abused and or neglected after 45 days old. babies are easier to care for then toddlers sorry for the attack toxic pink my fingers type faster then my brain works sometimes sorry!!!!!
October 13, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
The system is rife with problems when it comes to this issue. At least this new program will save some lives.
I have also found a very weak as well as understaffed and overworked SRS agency at the root of many problems. Their belief that a child belongs with biological parents and that every effort must be made to restore the bio family has been a real stumbling block because they don't always have the time nor the staff to do a full accounting of bad homes. Poor parenting, drug abuse, abusive step-parents, you name it doesn't just change overnight because SRS has been brought into the picture. More effort needs to be spent on true home inspections which means going inside the home for a looksee, not just standing out in the driveway with a clipboard.
And yes, Toxic PInk, you're right; there are many, many foster homes in Kansas that are just as much a nightmare as was the original bio parent's home. Some people out there are doing it just for the money and nothing else. "Just a mattress on the floor" is all you need for sleeping space is what one local agency told me. Some kids have it real rough.
What aches me inside is hearing a young junior high voice say that it's okay to have unprotected sex since she will just give the baby away anyway. Damn them!
October 13, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I was merely rephrasing what Local Hispanic said on this thread on Oct. 9 at 10:15 a.m. Perhaps I should have said "hearing of" instead of just "hearing." Big dif, one word, yes.
See for yourself for the passage to which I was referring, or I've copied and pasted it below.
"I've heard Jr high and high school kids say already that there is no reason to "use protection" because she can just give the baby away. Maybe they were kidding around, maybe not?"
So what if they were kidding. The idea is still planted.
October 13, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
In the case I was involved with -SRS did nothing except show up to court had to look at clip board everytime to get the kids name right but.. The Farm inc(TFI) was very involved they did drug testing on parents went into homes and tried to keep bio mother,father and kids togather put all efforts forward before adoption was the only chance these kids had Iam very grateful for The Farm inc.I know they have shortage of foster families in this area anyone with extra love to give contact the people at TFI they will help you become foster parents it only takes extra love the rest falls into place.
October 13, 2009 at 12:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Yes, I agree with what The Farm is doing if they are drug testing parents and actually entering homes and interviewing school counselors and teachers. I'll bet they never said anything like "just a mattress on the floor" is all a kid needs for sleeping space.
There's a lot more to all this than most people believe. Some agencies just do it for the money too.
October 13, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
me (anonymous) says...
The Farm takes parents right to the court house for drug testing sometimes weekly if needed they set up parents with drug counciling though mental health and parenting classes They do home studies before kids can go back home and they are always available to answer questions foster families,parents and placements have.Most of all they always know the kids names because they see the kids often.
October 13, 2009 at 12:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
filthy lucre....the almighty dollar......and the pursuit thereof has probably ruined more lives.....either directly or indirectly.....than all the other vices of the world combined. And yet we continue to worship it beyond all other things.
Money is at best a necessary evil......not a God.
October 13, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ToxicPink (anonymous) says...
I went to school with the intent of becoming a social worker, but through many different volunteer opportunities I've had and people I've met and what I've seen I have recently opted out of working on actual cases. But, from who I have worked with I know TFI tries hard and I have full support towards them. As for SRS, I have not worked with them closely enough, but everyone needs to be aware that social workers and case managers are so bogged down it's just stupid. The system needs people to step up and offer their support and they need volunteers like CASA workers. (Which I fully support anyone here doing, please think about it). They need more then funding, they need bodies who actually care about the well being of the families as a whole.
Now I am actually looking into being a foster parent recruiter, unfortunately I have not seen any real openings for a position like that here in town, not that it matters so much I suppose I do plan on moving to a bigger city. And that does spring from seeing and working with foster placements I did think were less then adequate, at least they did something, they inspired me to find people better than them to place children into.
October 13, 2009 at 5:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )