Drop off a baby, for good - the Baby Moses Program

The city of Midland has implemented a Baby Moses program with drop off stations at the hospital and fire stations.  Here's the news release:

A total of ten safe baby site signs have been placed at Midland fire stations and at Midland Memorial Hospital.  The yellow and black signs are placed where they can easily be seen.  Newborns, under 60 days, may be voluntarily delivered unharmed to Safe Baby Sites.  A parent giving up a baby may voluntarily disclose background and medical information, but the parent is not required to do so under the law.  Infants given over will receive evaluation and placement in a permanent loving home where the child’s future is unlimited.

Baby Moses was adopted nationally in 1999 to address an alarming increase in newborns being abandoned. Texas was the first state to adopt the Baby Moses Project.  The mission of the project is to publicize a confidential and safe alternative to newborn abandonment.

The name Baby Moses was chosen because in addition to being placed in a basket, Moses was also carefully watched over by an anonymous protector until he was safely placed in the arms of a person who could provide the love and care necessary for life.  Similarly, those involved with this project, and the implementation of abandonment legislation, want to provide a protector for newborns.

Too bad they have to be under 60 days old.  A more appropriate cut off age might be 18 years old.

Comments

[Bert]

Is the need that bad here? Oh wait, Midland does have a high teenage pregnancy rate.

[DiAnn]

There is a high teenage pregnancy rate EVERYWHERE! Not just Midland. We need to take more responsibility as Adults when our kids are out sleeping around.

[Maureen]

I'm confused, too, by the 60 day-old limit. Someone who has initially tried to raise a baby but ultimately finds she cannot should not have such an arbitrary cut-off. It's not like we have lots of 61 day-olds out there taking care of themselves.

[Geo]

Maureen, that 60 day age limit does seem arbitrary. When asked at the news conference whether the mother of a 90 day old child would be prosecuted, Al Shore, the DA, wouldn't say yes or no but only that the law provided the safe haven drop off as a defense to prosecution.

[Karen George BS,RN]

Hi Wallace, it is amazing that they allow this without information; medically speaking. Although they must infer that children under the age of 60 days were born in a local health care facility.

Where is accountability? There are so many children unloved, and unwanted yes but there has to be a sense of responsibility by giving life, and then letting it go...

I love your comment about the "age" cut-off, and yes "21" might be better than 18...

Peace Out!

Your friend,
Karen G.

[Karen George BS,RN]

Hi Wallace, it is amazing that they allow this without information; medically speaking. Although they must infer that children under the age of 60 days were born in a local health care facility.

Where is accountability? There are so many children unloved, and unwanted yes but there has to be a sense of responsibility by giving life, and then letting it go...

I love your comment about the "age" cut-off, and yes "21" might be better than 18...

Peace Out!

Your friend,
Karen G.