BY K.P. SANDER
With the recent finding of a deceased newborn found at a recycling facility in Hesperia, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Don Knabe, is reminding the public about the County’s Safe Surrender program.
“Awful tragedies like what occurred in Hesperia are a reminder to mothers that there is always an option for their baby,” said Knabe. “The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother – no matter what the situation – a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands.”
Knabe says that 122 lives have been saved by this program, but there is still much work to be done.
Some parents of newborns can find themselves in difficult, if not critical, circumstances. Feelings of fear and not knowing where to turn can sometimes lead to harm or abandonment of these infants. But there is a choice, a very good choice that is easily available.
California’s Safely Surrendered Baby Law gives parents the choice to legally and safely surrender their baby at any hospital or fire station in Los Angeles County, with no blame, no shame, and no names. It is a matter of going to any safe surrender site within 72-hours of the baby’s birth; filling out a voluntary and anonymous medical history form (or taking one home and mailing it back later) to help provide medical care for the baby; and obtaining an I.D. bracelet that matches one that will be fastened to the baby’s ankle. The bracelet helps reunite the parent with the baby if they change their mind within 14 days. No other questions will be asked.
Three newborns were safety surrendered this past July, one in them in Pomona. These infants now have the opportunity to live and thrive in a nurturing environment, possibly with parents that were unable to have their own child for one reason or another.
With the Safe Surrender program, newborns like the baby girl found at the Hesperia waste disposal plant on Oct. 1 will have a chance at life, instead of a horrific end.
Visit babysafela.org, or call (877) 222-9723, for more information.
Anyone with information regarding this Oct. 1, 2014 incident is urged to contact Detective Christine Kirby or Sergeant Jason Radeleff of the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 387-3589. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to contact the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-Crim,e or you may leave information on the We-Tip website www.wetip.com.
