So...Nebraska was one of the last states to enact a safe haven law. It went into effect within the last year, and the intent was for newborns and infants to be able to be taken to a hospital and left, without criminal charges against the parent.

I don't know all of the specifics, but when the law was drafted, the wording was changed from "infant" to "child". Again, not sure of the reasoning behind that. So...the safe haven law was used for the first time last week. A 15 year old boy was dropped off at a hospital by his grandmother, who was also legal guardian. Another hospital had an 11 year old dropped off...not sure who left that child.

So, obviously this wasn't the intent of the law, but becauase of the wording it was considered "legal". I feel so bad for the kids because clearly they are old enough to know what is going on. I believe the 15 year old was said to have "behavior problems" by his guardian. I haven't heard much on the 11 year old.

I agree that sometimes "the system" can make it difficult to get the necessary help, but I just can't believe that people resorted to this. How sad for everyone involved.

I don't have the answers, just wanted to vent a bit.

We've had that law now for a few years and they still find babies in trash dumpsters. I absolutely don't get it. I can't imagine being in that situation, but I would think you could drop it off at a hospital or firestation. Hell, even Quick Trips are safe drops. People are always going to take advantage laws, abuse laws for find ways around them. I agree though - it's not meant for 11 and 15 year olds.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I understand and agree with leaving babies and small children in a safe place but teenagers? So you can raise them (maybe wrong I don't know they had problems that's for sure) then throw them away? For you and I to raise? Why not force them into counseling when the child is a certain age?

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I would rather see the child taken care of this way than abused , starved or killed. Atleast this way they are safe.

I cannot even begin to imagine what would go on in an 11 year olds mind to find out you are unwanted by the very person(s) who is suppose to love you the most in the world. Even if they are holy terrors that would be something extremely hard to overcome and learn to live with. With an infant you can always try to put a great spin on it. "Your mother loved you so much that she thought someone else could take much better care of you" etc. But at 11 or even 15, you cannot sugarcoat it. This is so very very sad.

I have never heard of a child (other than an infant) being left using this law. That said, I would rather someone leave a child at a firehouse or hospital and starve them. We had a boy my son's age starved not too long ago....so sad

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Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003