BabySafeHaven
08-19-2004, 05:42 AM
http://www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_News_Local_dangels19.a0c
18.html
Service to honor abandoned infants
GARDEN OF THE ANGELS: 68 abandoned newborns have been buried in Desert Lawn
Cemetery.
12:26 AM PDT on Thursday, August 19, 2004
By YAZMIN ALVAREZ / The Press-Enterprise
CALIMESA - White doves will be released in the Garden of Angels Aug. 26 as part
of an eight-year remembrance service for 68 infants who died after being
abandoned.
The Garden of Angels, which is located next to a lake in the Desert Lawn
Cemetery, was founded by Faris-Cifelli eight years ago after she learned the
body of an abandoned baby boy had been discovered next to a dumpster. Jacob, as
she named him, was the first infant buried there.
"This garden shows the children dignity, respect and love that they deserved,"
said Faris-Cifelli, a Yucaipa resident. "They're named by investigating
officers and laid to rest. These children give us the passion to keep going."
The ceremony will also bring attention to a law that she believes has reduced
the number of abandoned infants. The Safe Arms for Newborns Law was passed in
January 2001. Forty-six other states have also passed similar laws.
The law allows the parent of a newborn, three days or younger, to surrender
their baby anonymously and without fear of prosecution to any employee at
hospital emergency rooms or any other safe haven in California. It also allows
a two-week period where if the parent chooses, they can reclaim the baby.
Faris-Cifelli says the organization has been called upon to bury fewer
abandoned infants.
"Only two babies have been buried, and that was in February. We usually average
13 to 19 burials a year," she said. "But that's our purpose. To never bury a
baby again."
The service starts at 6:30 p.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Online at:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_News_Local_dangels19.a0c
18.html
18.html
Service to honor abandoned infants
GARDEN OF THE ANGELS: 68 abandoned newborns have been buried in Desert Lawn
Cemetery.
12:26 AM PDT on Thursday, August 19, 2004
By YAZMIN ALVAREZ / The Press-Enterprise
CALIMESA - White doves will be released in the Garden of Angels Aug. 26 as part
of an eight-year remembrance service for 68 infants who died after being
abandoned.
The Garden of Angels, which is located next to a lake in the Desert Lawn
Cemetery, was founded by Faris-Cifelli eight years ago after she learned the
body of an abandoned baby boy had been discovered next to a dumpster. Jacob, as
she named him, was the first infant buried there.
"This garden shows the children dignity, respect and love that they deserved,"
said Faris-Cifelli, a Yucaipa resident. "They're named by investigating
officers and laid to rest. These children give us the passion to keep going."
The ceremony will also bring attention to a law that she believes has reduced
the number of abandoned infants. The Safe Arms for Newborns Law was passed in
January 2001. Forty-six other states have also passed similar laws.
The law allows the parent of a newborn, three days or younger, to surrender
their baby anonymously and without fear of prosecution to any employee at
hospital emergency rooms or any other safe haven in California. It also allows
a two-week period where if the parent chooses, they can reclaim the baby.
Faris-Cifelli says the organization has been called upon to bury fewer
abandoned infants.
"Only two babies have been buried, and that was in February. We usually average
13 to 19 burials a year," she said. "But that's our purpose. To never bury a
baby again."
The service starts at 6:30 p.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------
Online at:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/desertpass/stories/PE_News_Local_dangels19.a0c
18.html
