BabySafeHaven
02-12-2004, 04:44 AM
MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/bim/ice/projo/projolaunch/popup.html
Group pushes for a local 'safe haven' law
Critics say such laws simply legalize child abandonment.
Thursday, February 12, 2004
BY MARK REYNOLDS
Journal Staff Writer
SWANSEA -- An expanding group of taxpayers aims to enact a new town law that
would make it possible for a distraught mother to drop her baby off at the
police station without any fear of being prosecuted for child abandonment.
With support from the president of the Swansea Ambulance Corps Christopher
Sampson and Police Chief George Arruda, the group hopes to win passage of a
so-called safe-haven ordinance at the Annual Town Meeting on May 17.
People around town started putting more thought into the issue of child
abandonment last fall, after they learned the story of Barbara O'Leary, of 60
Ocean View Ave.
Embarrassed by the circumstances of her pregnancy, O'Leary gave birth to a
child in secret on Halloween.
Shortly afterward, she told the police that she had found someone else's baby
in her car, a report that mobilized authorities in a highly visible search for
the child's parent.
The episode prompted Arruda to appeal for a new law similar to safe haven rules
adopted in 45 other states.
The legislation is still making its way through the State House.
It faces stiff opposition from critics who argue that such laws simply legalize
child abandonment without doing anything to help mothers deal with their
problems.
Sampson and other safe-haven supporters would rather not wait for state
lawmakers to sort it out.
"Let's get the ball rolling," Sampson said.
"This is a legal, safe way for that baby to have a life after it leaves its
mother's hands rather than end up in a Dumpster," he added.
Sampson and other supporters have collected at least 40 signatures in their
petition to bring the issue before voters at the Annual Town Meeting.
Selectmen are expected to meet next week and make a decision about placing the
law on the Town Meeting warrant.
Selectman Wayne W. Gray said he understands why critics fear that the law does
more harm than good by giving a woman in crisis an opportunity to abandon her
baby without addressing her own problem.
But the law is still necessary, he said.
"It would enable the woman to handle the problem without the additional
problem, worry or concern of the child," Gray said.
http://www.projo.com/sharedcontent/bim/ice/projo/projolaunch/popup.html
Group pushes for a local 'safe haven' law
Critics say such laws simply legalize child abandonment.
Thursday, February 12, 2004
BY MARK REYNOLDS
Journal Staff Writer
SWANSEA -- An expanding group of taxpayers aims to enact a new town law that
would make it possible for a distraught mother to drop her baby off at the
police station without any fear of being prosecuted for child abandonment.
With support from the president of the Swansea Ambulance Corps Christopher
Sampson and Police Chief George Arruda, the group hopes to win passage of a
so-called safe-haven ordinance at the Annual Town Meeting on May 17.
People around town started putting more thought into the issue of child
abandonment last fall, after they learned the story of Barbara O'Leary, of 60
Ocean View Ave.
Embarrassed by the circumstances of her pregnancy, O'Leary gave birth to a
child in secret on Halloween.
Shortly afterward, she told the police that she had found someone else's baby
in her car, a report that mobilized authorities in a highly visible search for
the child's parent.
The episode prompted Arruda to appeal for a new law similar to safe haven rules
adopted in 45 other states.
The legislation is still making its way through the State House.
It faces stiff opposition from critics who argue that such laws simply legalize
child abandonment without doing anything to help mothers deal with their
problems.
Sampson and other safe-haven supporters would rather not wait for state
lawmakers to sort it out.
"Let's get the ball rolling," Sampson said.
"This is a legal, safe way for that baby to have a life after it leaves its
mother's hands rather than end up in a Dumpster," he added.
Sampson and other supporters have collected at least 40 signatures in their
petition to bring the issue before voters at the Annual Town Meeting.
Selectmen are expected to meet next week and make a decision about placing the
law on the Town Meeting warrant.
Selectman Wayne W. Gray said he understands why critics fear that the law does
more harm than good by giving a woman in crisis an opportunity to abandon her
baby without addressing her own problem.
But the law is still necessary, he said.
"It would enable the woman to handle the problem without the additional
problem, worry or concern of the child," Gray said.
