Some 'safe haven' laws just go too far
08/26/2008
email this storyEmail to a friendpost a commentPost a Commentprinter friendlyPrinter-friendly
This nation's throw away society has reached a new peak or, perhaps, nadir. One state in these United States has decided parents can give away children - no questions asked.
The new "Safe Haven" law that took effect in Nebraska last month makes it legal for children up to the age of 19 to be dropped off and left at a hospital with no legal ramifications.
"Safe haven" laws are not new. In fact, Nebraska is the last state in the union to pass this type of legislation. States wrestled with the idea of finding a way to curb child abandonment. Another crisis considered in the passage of these laws, one all too familiar in Delaware County, was the killing of newborns by distraught parents.
Every state has its own regulations, but the majority limit the age of dropped-off babies to newborns to young infants - from 72 hours old to 3 months old. Many states' "safe haven" laws also allow a grace period for parents to change their minds quickly about giving up their newborns. Nebraska has taken the idea of saving young children from the terrible fate of unprepared or distraught parents to a new level. That state considers children as minors until they reach the age of 19.
With no age limit on the age of children to be deserted, the range of legal alternatives is alarming. Parents fed up with trouble-making teens staying out too late, or tired of frequent school conferences for their child's misbehavior, or afraid of another call from police on vandalism charges, can just throw up their hands and walk away from any responsibility.
How about children with disabilities? Parents limited to social activity because of an inability to leave home or just tired of the expense of caring for a disabled child now can just drop them off and walk away.
Nebraska even allows baby sitters to surrender children with no questions asked.
Nebraska lawmakers believe their rules will prevent abuse, helping parents to forfeit their rights before they do harm to their children, though the psychological harm to a 10-year-old child deserted by his parents apparently was not considered.
This law is too broad. From Texas, the first state to enact a "safe haven" law, to the next 48 in line, the idea made sense. Whether individual states require the mother or either parent to drop off babies at designated sites, the idea to protect children from unprepared parents is a good one. Nebraska has taken this idea to a whole new level.
The new Nebraska law will be re-evaluated next year. Let's hope wiser heads prevail. Parents tired of older children should not be allowed to toss them aside - no questions asked.
- The Daily Times, Delaware County
