Local Task Force Pushes for Protection of Unwanted Babies
By: Sarah Hatten
Updated: December 4, 2012
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) A group based in St. Joseph is taking the lead on protecting unwanted babies.
The Safe Haven Task Force, based out of Heartland Hospital, is working to educate other nurses, and family service agencies about Missouri's Safe Haven Law.
For some new mothers, the idea of being a parent sometimes leads to dangerous choices.
"They had the baby on a bathroom floor or would throw it in dumpsters," said Ashley Stroud, Safe Haven Task Force.
It's almost unbelievable to think that someone could just throw a baby away.
"It may be happening and we just don't know. If a baby is being thrown away, we have no idea," added Stroud.
But, It is happening across the country. That's why a group in St. Joseph is working to make sure new moms know there are other options.
The Safe Haven Law gives them a last resort, allowing them to drop off a baby at a hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire station.
"This is just another alternative. It's completely anonymous," Stroud said.
Stroud, a mom herself, is part of the group in St. Joseph bringing awareness to the Safe Haven Law.
The law dates back to 2002, but this is the first time area agencies are working together to discourage caregivers from putting a child in harm's way.
"They're thinking at least I'm leaving it where somebody can see it, but unfortunately if nobody is around that baby is not going to be taken care of. So, really, this is to hand it off to somebody else so that baby can get care right then," Stroud said.
The Safe Haven Law protects against prosecution or legal action, unless the child has been abused.
"There are some severe consequences you could face if you left the child not somewhere that was protected by the Safe Haven Law," said Pam Blevins, Buchanan County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.
Child abandonment can carry a penalty of 5 to 15 years in prison.
The task force is campaigning to show new parents another option.
"There's no questions asked. We do have a little flier for them to fill out, just basic health information for the future, if they don't want to, they don't have to. They can just hand their baby over and walk away," Stroud said.
From there, the child is cared for at the hospital before entering the adoption system.
The Safe Haven Law applies to children who are one year old or younger.
The Safe Haven Task Force, based out of Heartland Hospital, is working to educate other nurses, and family service agencies about Missouri's Safe Haven Law.
For some new mothers, the idea of being a parent sometimes leads to dangerous choices.
"They had the baby on a bathroom floor or would throw it in dumpsters," said Ashley Stroud, Safe Haven Task Force.
It's almost unbelievable to think that someone could just throw a baby away.
"It may be happening and we just don't know. If a baby is being thrown away, we have no idea," added Stroud.
But, It is happening across the country. That's why a group in St. Joseph is working to make sure new moms know there are other options.
The Safe Haven Law gives them a last resort, allowing them to drop off a baby at a hospital, law enforcement agency, or fire station.
"This is just another alternative. It's completely anonymous," Stroud said.
Stroud, a mom herself, is part of the group in St. Joseph bringing awareness to the Safe Haven Law.
The law dates back to 2002, but this is the first time area agencies are working together to discourage caregivers from putting a child in harm's way.
"They're thinking at least I'm leaving it where somebody can see it, but unfortunately if nobody is around that baby is not going to be taken care of. So, really, this is to hand it off to somebody else so that baby can get care right then," Stroud said.
The Safe Haven Law protects against prosecution or legal action, unless the child has been abused.
"There are some severe consequences you could face if you left the child not somewhere that was protected by the Safe Haven Law," said Pam Blevins, Buchanan County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.
Child abandonment can carry a penalty of 5 to 15 years in prison.
The task force is campaigning to show new parents another option.
"There's no questions asked. We do have a little flier for them to fill out, just basic health information for the future, if they don't want to, they don't have to. They can just hand their baby over and walk away," Stroud said.
From there, the child is cared for at the hospital before entering the adoption system.
The Safe Haven Law applies to children who are one year old or younger.
