We Need to Give Abandoned Babies a Chance to Live

All too often we hear terrible stories about young mothers killing their newborn infants and dropping their lifeless, tiny bodies into dumpsters. These mothers are usually between the ages of 16 to 21 and they are scared. Hiding their pregnancy from friends and families, they see getting rid of the baby as their only option. In fact, just a few weeks ago, we heard a story about a 16-year-old Brooklyn mother who threw her newborn infant out the window; the child was found dead in the jaws of a family dog.

Life is too precious. These stories are chilling - and heartbreaking. In response to this growing concern, the state enacted the Abandoned Infant Protection Act last July to protect newborn children who are at risk of abandonment. Recently, Gov. George Pataki announced that he would invest $1 million to support a statewide, multimedia campaign, as well as a 24-hour toll-free information hotline, to publicize this law.

Under the Abandoned Infant Protection Act:

* A parent is protected from charges if an unharmed baby not more than five days old is delivered to any safe location.

* The mother has six months to change her mind and reclaim her child. After that, the baby is placed in foster care, or put up for adoption.

* Under the provisions of the act, parents, guardians or other legally responsible persons who are unable to care for the newborn infants may anonymously and safely leave the infant in the care of a responsible person at a hospital, police station, fire station or other safe location.

The $1 million in funding will help save lives, giving these helpless babies a fighting change and their moms a second chance. Even if we save one baby, I think it is worth it. It takes a courageous young woman to bring an unwanted newborn to a safe place. By better educating the public, we can save babies and give them loving families.

For additional information, one can call the toll-free hotline at 1-866-505-SAFE (7233) or access the state's website at www.dfa.state.ny.us/safe.