Family Forum / Parenting / Adoption / July 2006

TEXAS

http://www.amarillo.com/stories/072106/opi_5156302.shtml

July 21, 2006

Editorial: 'Baby Moses' law prevents crime

Local case shows reason for 'safe haven'

Until what authorities have described as a "lengthy" investigation is
complete, the details surrounding the tragic discovery of a dead infant
found in a Dumpster in Cactus won't be known.
A man and woman from Guatemala have been arrested for the crime of
misdemeanor abuse of a corpse, so their questionable immigration status
may be the least of their worries.

The only thing certain about this horrible incident is that a dead baby
was found in a trash bag in a refuse bin, tossed away like garbage.

Maybe the person who gave birth to the child could not come to grips
with the responsibility and made an unthinkable choice. Perhaps the
baby died before its body was discarded in such terrible fashion.

It is quite possible there was an alternative.

In 1999, the Texas Legislature passed the "Baby Moses Law."

This law provides a safe haven for newborns and immunity for those with
no other choice but to give up their baby.

Newborns dropped off at hospitals and fire stations become the state's
responsibility - no questions asked.

A male newborn was left on the doorstep of Amarillo's Northwest Texas
Hospital in October 2005.

Would a life have been saved in this latest case?

Right now, there's no way of knowing.

But every time we hear of a baby being thrown away in a trash bin, the
possibility such a drastic and deadly act could have been prevented
makes for a troubling question.