(LOS ANGELES, CA) – On the heels of the discovery yesterday of a newborn infant in a cardboard box next to a dumpster in an alley in Los Angeles, First 5 LA is issuing public reminder that there are safe, confidential alternatives to abandonment of unwanted babies.
California’s Safely Surrendered Baby Law allows a parent or legal guardian to confidentially surrender an infant, three days old or younger, to any hospital emergency room and fire stations. The law guarantees anonymity and freedom from prosecution in these instances.
"As a child advocacy organization seeking to protect babies from being hurt or killed because of abandonment, First 5 LA wants to remind the public that there is a toll-free hotline to call to find out the nearest surrender site for newborns," said Evelyn V. Martinez, First 5 LA executive director. The Safely Surrendered Baby hotline at (877) BABY-SAFE, or (877) 222-9723.
The male baby found dead yesterday is only the second newborn abandoned this year in LA County, according to county records. By contrast, there were eight such cases in LA County each year in 2003 and 2004.
So far this year, there have been seven infants safely surrendered, compared to ten and eight respectively in 2004 and 2003.
Two years ago, First 5 LA led a county-wide task force in launching a $500,000 public information campaign in Spanish and English to educate county employees, community groups and the public about the Safely Surrendered Baby Law. First 5 California has also been instrumental in increasing public awareness about the law. For more information, visit www.babysafela.org.
First 5 LA is a unique child advocacy organization created by California voters that invests tobacco tax revenues for programs to improve the lives of children prenatal to 5 in Los Angeles County. First 5 LA champions health, education and safety issues benefiting young children and families. |
