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Friends of the Fourth
District:
Our efforts continue in the fight to save babies from abandonment
throughout Los Angeles County. The State’s Safe Surrender Law allows
a mother to surrender her child safely within 72-hours of birth at
any hospital emergency room or designated fire station in the
County. Since the law took effect, we’ve saved 22 babies and given
them an opportunity at a good life.
Just this year, we’ve had four safe surrenders, two of them being in
the last month in Downey and Long Beach. These mothers have done the
right thing and saved their baby’s life. There is no reason to
abandon a child now that we have a law that allows a mother to
anonymously and safely get her baby into safe hands with no
questions asked.
Under my leadership, the County of Los Angeles has made great
strides to get information on the 2001 state law out to the public.
In 2001, the first year of the law, there were zero safe surrenders,
but 14 abandonments. In 2002, following the County’s aggressive
public information efforts, there were 10 safe surrenders. The
following year in 2003 there were 8 more safe surrenders, while the
number of abandonments continued to drop.
“No shame. No blame. No names.” is our message. We just want the
baby to be healthy and safe. While it’s sad that a mother gives up
her child, we are thankful that she did the right thing and she can
be assured we will find the child a good home.
Under the Safely Surrendered Baby Law, parents may surrender their
newborn infants at hospitals or designated fire stations within the
first 72 hours after birth without facing criminal prosecution. The
Department of Children and Family Services takes custody of these
infants and moves them into adoptive homes as quickly as possible.
Anyone wanting more information about Los Angeles County’s Safely
Surrender Baby sites should visit the program’s web site at
www.babysafela.org. You can also call (877) BABY-SAFE, or (877)
725-5111 for more information or to locate the nearest safe
surrender site to you. Los Angeles County Safely Surrendered Baby
sites will display a sign with the Safely Surrendered Baby logo,
which shows a picture of an extended arm holding a baby.
DON KNABE
Supervisor, Fourth District
County of Los Angeles
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