Dad Deposits Toddler In Drop Box

(AP)  A Japanese drop box for unwanted babies triggered a wave of nationwide soul searching Wednesday, a day after it was discovered a preschooler — and not an infant — had been dumped there by his father on its first day of operation.

Nationally circulated newspapers warned that the anonymous drop-off, known as "Stork's Cradle," is open for abuse and could traumatize youngsters. They also condemned the father, saying his action could spur copycats.

The drop-off was opened last Thursday by the Catholic-run Jikei Hospital in the southern city of Kumamoto to discourage abortions and the abandonment of children in unsafe public places. The same day, a boy believed to be 3 was found inside.

The boy, who was in good health, reportedly said he was dropped off by his father, who was seen holding the youngster's hand as they approached the hospital. They apparently rode Japan's bullet train to Kumamoto, but it was unclear where they lived.

"I came with Daddy," the boy was quoted as saying by the Mainichi newspaper.

The find triggered a wave of outrage among political leaders, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe saying "Anonymously throwing out a child is unacceptable." He urged parents to consult social workers for help if raising children gets too tough.

Local media reported that the boy was able to identify himself by name. But it was unclear whether the father had been identified.

The hospital has refused to comment on the case, citing privacy concerns, but said there were age limits on its drop-off service.

Police have decided no crime was committed in the current case because the child was left in a situation in which it was not exposed to immediate harm, Kyodo News reported Wednesday.

"We must rethink the meaning of the baby drop-off," the conservative Sankei newspaper said in an editorial. "Unlike a baby, a toddler may suffer from trauma."

"This little boy must be experiencing great loneliness. We urge his mother or father to come forward," the newspaper said, calling his abandonment "unforgivable."

The Yomiuri newspaper said it was too early to judge the baby-drop, but said that it must be used for its original purpose of receiving newborns, not young children. Parents should also be encouraged to seek outside help before dumping their offspring.

The Mainichi said the misuse of the box could inspire copycats.

A small hatch on the side of the hospital has been set up to allow people to drop off babies into an incubator 24 hours a day.

The drop box was created after a series of high-profile cases in which newborn babies were left behind in parks and supermarkets, triggering a public outcry and government warnings against abandoning babies.

[gunnerv1]

After all of the Liberal BS about how "Great" Japan is, it looks as if it's a cess pool like the rest of the world! I didn't like the place when I was there in the 70's.

[susanhelit]

And you missed mine, getreal. Adoptive parents may be good or bad, but the type of parent who wants to drop their kid off is going to be worse, pretty much no matter what. The drop box is an outlet for an already poor parent, to stop being a parent hopefully before they do any severe damage to the child. Abandonment is bad, abuse and murder is worse.


I'm definitely looking at this through the child's eyes. I think you're missing a lot there - think about what this father would be doing with this toddler if he couldn't drop him off.

[caldwellptr]

I'm a drop box baby, or was that dropped on my head?

[toldyouso21]

People miss a significant point concerning abortions. it isn't just that women do not want to have to take care of a baby or cannot afford to. Many women do not want to carry the baby either. Women who do often cite such ideas as a baby is disiguring to them or will prevent them from doing their jobs (if their jobs are based on certain appearances like modeling or stripping or flight attendant) other women are just grossed out with the idea of something they do not want wriggling around inside of them for at least 6 of the 9 months--and still others have debilitating morning sickness or other health problems that they know is associated with pregnancy.

On the other hand--some women resent the idea of being baby breeders for barren women and feel that the child is theirs to want or not want since it is made out of their seed and has to live in their body. Until science or catholic drop offs can come up with machines that can carry a baby for a woman--the idea of abortion will be here to stay. Legal or not.

[lisa_marie_4]

All I can say is this is a heartbreaking story. It is a sad day in this world when we have drop offs for kids. Although this world is full of parents who do not want their kids it seems to me there must be a better solution than this. It almost sems like we are encouraging this sort of behavior but this is a very 2 sided subject and I wonder if any of us have the answer.

[mahdeealoo]

How about voluntary sterilization? Would that ease troubled hearts?

This drop off is something that every city should have, with no age limits. It is better than any child being unwanted and treated as such by parents/guardians. Abuse is rampant in this country. A safe place such as this with loving parents waiting to adopt, heck yeah.

I know a few kids that would be better off there. Glad mine are grown and loved by me, unconditionally.

[bradleydad]

The thought of people who can't or won't keep their children is awful of course. But, here we are in our safe, comfy, world ignoring that most of the worlds children are hungry or enslaved. In Africa, 200,000 children were forced into armies to kill, in the most brutal ways imaginable. I lie awake at night and cry for the children of the world. If children can somehow have another chance at childhood, I'm all for it.

[bradleydad]

The thought of people who can't or won't keep their children is awful of course. But, here we are in our safe, comfy, world ignoring that most of the worlds children are hungry or enslaved. In Africa, 200,000 children were forced into armies to kill, in the most brutal ways imaginable. I lie awake at night and cry for the children of the world. If children can somehow have another chance at childhood, I'm all for it.

[syzygy8]

What a wonderful option for a mother who cannot care for a child but has great hesitation in having an abortion. Finally the church is doing something worthy of the Saviour, whose message it proclaims.

[randalds]

Here in CA any newborn (I believe 3 days or less) can be dropped at any hospital, fire station or police station by the mother, no questions asked. It's much better then years ago when they used to turn up dead in dumpsters. As for older children there are processes in place to surrender parenthood of older children here and I assume in all other states, however you can't just drop them off.