Abandoned Newborn Dies in Freezing 'Safe Haven' State, Illinois (VIDEO)
A newborn baby has died after being abandoned in a trash can in the state of Illinois, despite state laws designed to prevent such tragedies.
The baby boy, weighing 4 pounds 2 ounces, was dumped in an outdoor trash can in South Chicago by its 13-year-old mother on New Year’s Day, according to Mail Online.
Wrapped in only bloodied jeans, the baby was left to brave the snow. Although he was found and taken to hospital, it was too late and he was pronounced dead soon after.
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According to sources, the mother, whose name is unlikely to be released, was unaware that she was pregnant until giving birth.
In Illinois, it is illegal to abandon a child, but legal to drop off a child at a "safe haven,” according to state law.
The Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act was passed by Democratic congressman Donne Trotter in 2001, and seeks to prevent babies dying as a result of unsafe abandonment.
"It provides a safe alternative to parents who may be under severe emotional distress or are unable to provide for the basic needs of an infant," the law states.
It also "provides immunity from prosecution for parents who relinquish their unharmed newborn to a safe haven under the terms of this law."
The non-profit organization Save Abandoned Babies Foundation helped pass this law and Treasurer Diane Jannetto told Mail Online that this case is unique because it involves "the youngest" mother to abandon her newborn child.
"The average age is 18-24 or something ... It makes us all cry when we hear of a baby dying this way. It's not necessary to die like that," Jannetto said.
The law makes it lawful for a mother to safely abandon her unharmed new born who is no older than 30 days old "with personnel of a hospital, emergency medical facility, staffed fire station, or police station (designated safe havens)," according to state legislation.
Despite the decriminalization of safe abandonment, a number of mothers still prefer to dump their newborns at churches.
Some mothers have the misconception that churches are a safer location for abandonment, but Jannetto insists that this is often untrue because "they're just not staffed all day," she says.
SABF is now even more determined to educate young girls and women about the dangers of abandonment, and will continue to inform the general public that the safe abandonment option exists.
The Christian Post Daily Report 01.03.12
