BabySafeHaven
02-06-2004, 03:24 PM
MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.lowellsun.com/Stories/0,1413,105~4761~1939909,00.html
Baby Safe Haven legislation to be considered in Billerica
By DENNIS SHAUGHNESSEY, Sun Staff
BILLERICA In November 2001, a baby was found dead in St. Mary's Cemetery on
Talbot Avenue in Dorchester by two school girls who thought it was a doll.
"Baby Rebecca" was given a proper, dignified burial 50 feet from where she was
discovered. She is buried in a small corner plot, and a tiny marker bears the
only name by which she will ever be known.
On May 1, 2000, a baby was found in the employee parking lot at the old St.
Vincent Hospital in Worcester. She was wrapped in a bloody towel and stuffed
inside a plastic grocery bag. The baby, dubbed, "Baby May," survived and was
later adopted.
That incident prompted the first filing of legislation for the Baby Safe Haven
Law, which would allow parents or a representative to drop off a newborn at a
police station, fire station or hospital within seven days of the birth without
fear of prosecution.
Michael and Jean Morrisey, known for their work in miscarriage and still-birth
rituals, helped bury Baby Rebecca and find a home for Baby May. Now the
Lexington couple have taken their case to cities and towns throughout the
state, meeting with city councils and selectmen and urging them to consider
filing home-rule petitions.
Although safe-haven laws have been enacted in 45 other states, the proposal
languished in legislative limbo in Massachusetts after its initial filing three
years ago. Opposition has come from such adoption groups as Massachusetts
Families for Kids, who want to preserve open-adoption records for those seeking
to identify birth parents.
The Morriseys said they have spoken to officials in some 30 cities and towns,
including Billerica last week, where selectmen agreed to support an article on
the spring Town Meeting warrant but would like to see more information.
"In many cases, frightened mothers cannot do the right thing. Safe haven is
what brings them to the door of the police or fire station or the paramedic or
the hospital," Michael Morrisey said.
So far, Lexington, Boston, Framingham, Ludlow, Natick, Westfield, and Fall
River have adopted home-rule petitions and are waiting for state approval.
Morrisey said he is presently working with a Billerica resident to gather
signatures for an article on the town meeting warrant.
http://www.lowellsun.com/Stories/0,1413,105~4761~1939909,00.html
Baby Safe Haven legislation to be considered in Billerica
By DENNIS SHAUGHNESSEY, Sun Staff
BILLERICA In November 2001, a baby was found dead in St. Mary's Cemetery on
Talbot Avenue in Dorchester by two school girls who thought it was a doll.
"Baby Rebecca" was given a proper, dignified burial 50 feet from where she was
discovered. She is buried in a small corner plot, and a tiny marker bears the
only name by which she will ever be known.
On May 1, 2000, a baby was found in the employee parking lot at the old St.
Vincent Hospital in Worcester. She was wrapped in a bloody towel and stuffed
inside a plastic grocery bag. The baby, dubbed, "Baby May," survived and was
later adopted.
That incident prompted the first filing of legislation for the Baby Safe Haven
Law, which would allow parents or a representative to drop off a newborn at a
police station, fire station or hospital within seven days of the birth without
fear of prosecution.
Michael and Jean Morrisey, known for their work in miscarriage and still-birth
rituals, helped bury Baby Rebecca and find a home for Baby May. Now the
Lexington couple have taken their case to cities and towns throughout the
state, meeting with city councils and selectmen and urging them to consider
filing home-rule petitions.
Although safe-haven laws have been enacted in 45 other states, the proposal
languished in legislative limbo in Massachusetts after its initial filing three
years ago. Opposition has come from such adoption groups as Massachusetts
Families for Kids, who want to preserve open-adoption records for those seeking
to identify birth parents.
The Morriseys said they have spoken to officials in some 30 cities and towns,
including Billerica last week, where selectmen agreed to support an article on
the spring Town Meeting warrant but would like to see more information.
"In many cases, frightened mothers cannot do the right thing. Safe haven is
what brings them to the door of the police or fire station or the paramedic or
the hospital," Michael Morrisey said.
So far, Lexington, Boston, Framingham, Ludlow, Natick, Westfield, and Fall
River have adopted home-rule petitions and are waiting for state approval.
Morrisey said he is presently working with a Billerica resident to gather
signatures for an article on the town meeting warrant.
