Baby Abandonment

By: Brittany Partlow, Bree Bushman,

Austynn Fritze, & Alyse Anderson

What is Baby Abandonment?

Child Welfare League of America defines it as “Any time a child is

left without appropriate supervision for extended periods

of time”

History

• Baby abandonment dates back to the Middle Ages in Rome– Revolving wooden wheel where

unwanted babies were abandoned• Before the Safe Haven Laws

were introduced in the United States, baby abandonment was prevalent– 105 babies abandoned in 1998– 33 found dead

Origins of Safe Haven Laws

• Texas was the first state to pass the law in 1999

• By 2000, 14 more states adopted the laws

• In February of 2008, all 50 states passed some form of the Safe Haven Law

Political Aspects

• Variations of each law by state– Designated drop-off locations

– Information given, if any

– Age of child

Variations of Age of the Child Between States

Age of Child States

3 days CA, WA, AZ, UT, CO, MN, WI, MS, MI, TN, AL, FL, OH, MD, AL

5 days NY

7 days OK, IL, GA, NC, NH, MA

14 days IA, VA, DE

30 days OR, ID, NV, MT, WY, TX, MO, AR, LA, SC, PA, RI, CT, NJ

31 days ME

45 days KS, IN, WV

60 days SD

90 days NM, KY, AL

6 months VT

12 months ND

19 years NE

Minnesota Law

• In 2000 the Safe Haven Law was passed

• The law states:– Dropped off within 72 hours – Mother is the only one that can

drop-off infant– Safe Haven locations are only

hospitals

Ethical Aspects

• Advantages• Disadvantages

• Unintended consequences• Happy endings

Ethical Aspects

Advantages• Crimes prevented• More babies available

for adoption• Possibly can prevent

abortions

Disadvantages• Law isn’t advertised

enough• Promotes baby

abandonment• Any person could

relinquish infant• Father could be willing

to raise child• Babies born with little

prenatal care• Psychological

consequences

Ethical Aspects

• Unintended consequences– Nebraska doesn’t specify age limit– Uses the word child– Anyone under age 19

• Nebraska lawmakers working to revise Safe Haven Law

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgXssqyCnKk

Conclusion

• What Is Baby Abandonment?• History• Origins

• Political Aspects• Minnesota Law• Ethical Aspects