Parents Can Leave Children - Legally

It is a Nebraska law that is intended for the protection of children. However, it is having unexpected consequences. Some parents simply are not wanting to raise their children:

“Between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Wednesday, three fathers walked into two hospitals in Omaha and abandoned their children. One left nine siblings, ages 1 to 17.

The men, unless proven to have abused the kids, won’t face prosecution under a new Nebraska law that is unique in the nation. The law allows parents to leave a child at a licensed hospital without explaining why.”

link: Nebraska ’safe haven’ law for kids has unintended results

Although this was not the expectation when the law was written, these children may be also in psychological danger. The parenting may be overwhelming. And, in this economic climate, some parents may be looking for alternatives for the best interests of their child. Nevertheless, the lawmakers did not anticipate this consequence.

Catherine Forsythe