Far too often we hear of teenage girls who abandon their infants just after birth. It causes outrage and disgust for the parent and sympathy and sadness for the child by the public. There is no shame in admitting one’s inability or inadequacy when it comes to parenting. The shame comes when that child’s life is placed in danger as a direct result of a parent’s actions. Yet, this is not just limited to abandonment at birth.
I have just come across the story below in which two parents, while fighting over who would take care of their infant that night, simply played an impromptu game of chicken. Both actually left the parking lot meeting place, leaving the child, both thinking the other would come back and take on the responsibility for the evening. Furthermore, these weren’t just immature, irresponsible teenagers. The mother is 23 and the father is actually a 25 year old on his way to a Masters degree. Thankfully, the baby was unharmed, but both parents face charges of child abuse for the incident.
For parents reading this- if you ever become overwhelmed by your duties as a mother or father, please consider your choices. Many children are abandoned and placed in dangerous situations because the parents felt they have no other alternatives. There are alternatives. Safe Haven laws were set in place to ensure that children always have a safe place to go. Parents who voluntarily leave their children at a police station or hospital (laws vary by state, please see map for all locations available to you) face no legal repercussions. These laws only aim to protect the children.
For all others reading this- please help us get the word out about Safe Haven laws. Every child deserves to be safe.
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P. S.
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