Family Forum / Parenting / Adoption / June 2006

ILLINOIS

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_170212654.html

Newborn Left At West Side Hospital
25 Children Have Been Saved Under Safe Haven Law

Jun 19, 2006 - (CBS) CHICAGO At the same time an organization dedicated
to saving abandoned babies was holding a fundraiser in the suburbs, a
young mother left her newborn at a safe haven location on the city's
West Side.

According to a news release, the Save Abandoned Babies Foundation held
a "Texas Hold 'Em" fundraiser in Glenview on Saturday night. A woman,
who can remain anonymous by law, left her baby with an employee at a
West Side hospital at the same time.

Under the Safe Haven Law, babies less than 72 hours old can be left at
any hospital, emergency medical facility, staffed fire station, or
police station with no questions asked. The mother is not required to
give her name and is eligible for medical care and counseling.

Saturday's handoff was the 25th child saved since the law was enacted
five years ago.