Law keeps babies safe
Wednesday, June 29th, 2005
By Chris Fitzsimon
Reidsville Review
Kim Carlton Staff Writer
In 2001, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law that allows a mother to surrender her newborn child to any responsible adult.
The purpose of the "safe surrender" law is to create a safe
environment for unwanted newborns.
Although the law was established in 2001, the state continues to see cases where unwanted pregnancies end with the death of a newborn.
Officials plan to reduce these numbers by getting the word out. Lynn Wilkins, of Rockingham County Social Services, said her department has placed an informative poster for the public in the lobby.
"The media is one avenue that will be utilized to spread the word," Wilkins said. "I think the state will be making more efforts to make the public aware of the law."
So far the state has launched a campaign with help from the Governor’s Crime Commission. Together they were able to distribute 30,000 posters and flyers throughout North Carolina with information regarding the "safe surrender" law.
Officials are encouraging young mothers to receive prenatal care for themselves and their babies during their pregnancies. They are also urging them not to hide their pregnancies.
"Quite often we receive calls from young mothers that are seeking advice and information about adoption or other services," Wilkins said. "Sometimes the young mothers are overwhelmed with fear from the reaction of their families and, or fear from being a mother."
Any mother who is feeling overwhelmed and thinking of throwing away her newborn can anonymously leave the child with a police officer, hospital worker, social worker, or emergency worker.
"If we are able to identify the mother we will try to help the mother in any way that we can," Wilkins said. "If the mother is anonymous then we will begin searching for a new and safe home through our licensed foster care homes."
The responsible adult is required to call 911 and take the baby to a safe environment or the local department of social services immediately.
The mother surrendering her baby is not required to identify herself because the goal of the law is to prevent death and abandonment among newborns.
There are hotlines and Web sites available for young mothers to receive information
about themselves and babies
at www.safesurrender.net and
1-800-FOR-BABY.
Last 5 posts in Daily News
- Violence unabated in juvenile prisons - January 6th, 2009
- Perdue picks leaders for DOT, commerce, culture - January 6th, 2009
- Public health director to retire - January 6th, 2009
- Would a tax break help? - January 6th, 2009
- From business to nonprofits to culture - January 6th, 2009
Email This Post
Print This Post
