Neb. Safe Haven Law Draws Criticism

The parental abandonment of yet another teenager -- this time from out of state -- under Nebraska's controversial safe haven law has prompted calls for revising the law and focused attention on the plight of overwhelmed parents.
infant laws

Since the law went into effect in July, 17 children, ages 1 to 17, have been dropped off at hospitals and police stations by parents or guardians who said they could no longer take care of them. None of the children was in immediate danger, according to the Nebraska governor's office.

Though every state has a safe haven law, which allows parents to leave their infants with government agencies without fear of prosecution, Nebraska is the only state that allows parents to give up any "child" under 18.

Abandonment can have a devastating impact on older children, child welfare experts say. source>>>

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