OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 13, 2008
2nd Teen Abandoned In Neb. Under Haven Law
Mich. Parents Apparently Flew To Omaha To Ditch 13-Year-Old Son Under State Safe-Haven Law
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A political cartoon critical of Nebraska's new "safe haven" law. (CBS)
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Play CBS Video Video Teens Abandoned Under Neb. Law Parents are using Nebraska's safe haven law to abandon their teenage children, raising serious questions about a law that's applied to babies. Hattie Kauffman reports.
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Interactive Children In Danger Warning signs, state-by-state child services information and a history of child welfare reforms.
A 13-year-old Michigan boy was left at Creighton University Medical Center between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. Monday, said Nebraska Health and Human Services spokeswoman Kathie Osterman.
Since July 18, when the new law went into effect, 18 children between the ages of 1 and 17 have been abandoned. Nebraska's safe-haven law allows children as old as 18 to be left at state-licensed hospitals without fear of prosecution.
This is the second time that a child from outside the state has been left at a hospital in Nebraska. It's not clear why the boy was left, Osterman said. He was placed in an emergency shelter.
Last week, a 14-year-old girl from Iowa was left at an Omaha hospital by her grandparents. She has since been returned to her family.
Her abandonment set off concerns that Nebraska's broadly written law could make the state a dumping ground for unwanted children. Officials with the state's Department of Health and Human Services have stressed that the safe-haven law should be used for children in immediate danger only.
State offices were closed for Columbus Day Monday, slowing the investigation.
Officials have said parents and caregivers contemplating using the law should understand there is no guarantee a child could be returned to them if they change their minds. The placement may involve the courts, and the process of regaining custody may prove difficult.
Several of the parents or guardians who have left children cited uncontrollable behavioral problems as reasons for using the law. An out-of-work widower who left nine of his 10 children - ages 1 to 17
said he simply felt overwhelmed by his responsibilities. That man, Gary Staton, has asked a judge to approve state-supervised visitation with the children he abandoned.
Officials have encouraged parents to seek other resources before resorting to abandonment. They've urged desperate parents to ask for help from family, faith-based groups and other community services before abandoning their children at hospitals.
State lawmakers and Gov. Dave Heineman have said the safe haven law, which was intended to protect infants, needs to be changed. The current law uses the word "child," which some have taken to mean "minor," or anyone under the age of 19.
The Legislature's Judiciary and Health and Human Services committees plan to hold a joint public hearing on the safe-haven law on Nov. 13.
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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- having been raised in foster care and a hell of life for the children in them. Mum,ye know yer words are true. i KNOW WHAT THEY FEEL AFTER BEING DUMPED,YEP.
a FEMALE will have a child.
Later meet a man that tells her is is HIM or the kids.
sHE DUMPS HER CHILDREN BY A FORMER MARRIAGE ON THE TOWN.
NEB. state messed up. I read the story as it should be newborns only as it is in other state,
i am childless as it was the right thing for me. They should be fixed as the tax payers wfll pay to raise the dumped kids. - Reply to this comment
- They are children. I have just as many problems with my kids as anyone else. Even when my kids push my buttons, I can find a way to cope. If you can''t deal with the kids...DON"T HAVE ANY!!
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- It is sad that the parents dumped that child.. I feel for him. Was not this law passed to give up newborns well it is here. Lazy parents. Ye domp yer child on the town then tie the parents'' tubes so they can''t breed, That child will end up in foster homes while mum/dad have a lovey life. A former foster child.
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- What happens with these kids after there dumped off? Do they end up in a juvinile home until there 18?You know I was given up at the age of 15-and thats where they kept me-and said I would more than likely have to stay there until I was 18 due to people not wanting to adopt a teenager.Well here I was stuck in this place that felt like a jail-and was not allowed to go to school!Sure once or twice a week they would tudor kids for a short period of time-but this doesn''t get you a diploma. I wanted to go to school-I also wanted a family that wanted me. This eventualy turned me to running away-many times.As a teen in this possition you think well they''ve already taken basically everything from me-there''s really nothing left.Then it''s dealing with all the hell on the streets-god the freaks that go after young girls and people you would never suspect taking advantage of the situation.it was a nightmare.then I just became independant on my own-started working and moving forward.I think the system got tired of keeping track of me.But if there going to keep these kids in a juvinile facility-LET THEM GO TO A REAL SCHOOL TO GET EDUCATED!I''m sure many people are not even aware of how things really work for teens.It''s sad.I think if the state wants to help-and aproves of parents dropping kids off-they should not take the childs education in a real school from the kids-hell they''ve lost everything else.Don''t let them down with there education.Don''t lock them up like criminals.
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- The anti-abortion faction had a whole lot of concern for this throw-away kid back when he was just a glob of cells. But once he was born, they were nowhere to be found. The anti-abortion faction is also the same group who failed to see that this throw-away kid''''s "mother" had access to safe birth control, too.
WAKE UP, PEOPLE! If you claim to be "pro-life," then you have to start caring for that life instead of standing in judgement of the people who did what you said to do.
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Posted by mswolfestock
Pro-life is just a name, they are not "pro life" they are pro birth, after that, life is expendable. - Reply to this comment
- unless you are a horrible parent who cant stand their child like my one friend i have there is no need to throw them out... you cant just get rid of a person just because you feel like it... that law shouldnt have been passed the only place someone should be able to give there child to is a orphanage if they cant support them or into foster care until further notice.... babies should be the only humans able to be abandoned at a hospital.
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- Theres a BIG DIFFERENCE between a cute, cuddly, goo-goo eyed little bundle of joy and some punkassed 13-year-old thug brat!!!
We demand the right to choose!
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Posted by DaVicar1
Who made them a punk *** brat? Are who was not around to take cars of him/her and teach them.
We demand the right to choose! Then YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM - Reply to this comment
- read my local newspaper, then CNN and then CBS News. I read these things to get a better understanding where America is going, what are the American ideas and thoughts. We are a throw away society, we throw everything away, food, shoes, jobs, dogs, cats, God, and children. We have thrown away our future and don''''t even know it yet. WOW! I have no respect for Americans, I no respect for your laws, I will not be following any of your laws or your leaders. I guess I am here to witness the end of the Roman Empire once and for all. I can''''t wait to throw away the American dream and all those lies that came with it. A storm is coming, it is time to pay up for being a throw away society. Rome''''s time is over.
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Posted by tbuckl9501
If you live in my country, how about I throw you away, to the wolves. We don''t need your kind around. - Reply to this comment
- mswolfestock: You are so right.
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- Men need to keep in there pants and the girls need to keep there pants on. If you can''t take care of them, don''t have them.
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- Sarah Palin''''s daughter could make a visit to Nebraska. That would make her lover a very happy boy.
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Posted by yongamerica
you''re a jerk. - Reply to this comment
- If these laws had existed when I was a teenager my dad would have droped me off in a heartbeat!
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- See people need to understand.
Before modern times if you couldn''t support yourself or your offspring YOU WOULD DIE of starvation.
If you couldn''t provide shelter or protect yourself and your family, You WOULD DIE.
ITS CALLED NATURAL SELECTION, Survival of the FITTEST!.
There were no Housing projects or food stamps in prehistoric times
How did lazy people survive back in the days.... THEY DIDN''T..
What we are doing is breeding a society of Fat, Lazy people.
What will happen when America can no longer take the weight? - Reply to this comment
- QUOTE... "That should of been done when you were born. Just because you have a child that is out of control and a parent can''''t handle all the problems doesn''''t mean we should spay and neuter the people like animals. Help should be provided for these people so they can take better care of the children.
I can''''t believe the mind set of people. Just remember, no children, no adults to take care of the aged when it comes time to collect your SS. Believe it or not YOU will need them. "... End Quote
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Posted by mypatch at 10:21 AM : Oct 14, 2008
Well if your so happy to help them, why don''t you give all your money to them.
I was brought up with the basic fundamental morals of my european parents. Only take on what you can handle.
If your living in the slums, why would you have kids.
If someone can''t handle their kids, they should try harder. How has the human race handled their children for thousand''s of years? Did they drop them off in Nebraska? No they tighten their boot straps and handled it.
America is too full of Democrat sissy''s like yourself.
Word''s to live by "DEAL WITH IT!" - Reply to this comment
- mypatch -
You are missing the point. As a matter of fact, there ARE certain "human" members of this society who should be "spayed and neutered" just like animals. These are the people who are already guilty of Breeding Without A Brain, who have kids they refuse to care for, who have kids and abuse them, who have kids SIMPLY TO GET A BIGGER WELFARE CHECK.
As a taxpayer (probably just like you) I think we''d save a ton of money if we handed welfare recipients a pack of condoms instead of a check. Then we probably wouldn''t be having this discussion RE: abandoned kids in Nebraska. - Reply to this comment
- Just wait until the illegals aliens figure this one out.
Get ready for a stampede!! - Reply to this comment
- Okay, all of you anti-abortion hypocrites - here is your chance to put your money where your mouth is.
Send these poor throw-away kids to live with anti-abortion families.
The anti-abortion faction had a whole lot of concern for this throw-away kid back when he was just a glob of cells. But once he was born, they were nowhere to be found. The anti-abortion faction is also the same group who failed to see that this throw-away kid''s "mother" had access to safe birth control, too.
WAKE UP, PEOPLE! If you claim to be "pro-life," then you have to start caring for that life instead of standing in judgement of the people who did what you said to do. - Reply to this comment
- That should of been done when you were born. Just because you have a child that is out of control and a parent can''t handle all the problems doesn''t mean we should spay and neuter the people like animals. Help should be provided for these people so they can take better care of the children.
I can''t believe the mind set of people. Just remember, no children, no adults to take care of the aged when it comes time to collect your SS. Believe it or not YOU will need them. - Reply to this comment
- Stupid people keep breeding.
Asia''s forced abortion/ pregnancy license is a little harsh.
Eventually a program like the following will be enacted.
a. Sterilize (using some technology) all people/ children when they are born.
b. When people want children either natural birthing or adoption, they have to undergo a licensing procedure. If they do not have the income to support the child, or If ther are not mentally capable of raising children they are not granted license to de-sterilize, and have children.
C. If the people want to have more kids, they have to re apply through the same process.
The adoption process is the same if not harder than the above. When adopting, they check your home, income, ancestry, and mental status of everyone in your family, including friends that will be visiting frequently.
If we enacted the above, welfare would end. and we would save Billions of dollars, and at the same time Natural selection would be re-introduced.
In other countries if you have no money or food for your family YOU DIE! Natural Selection.
If you can''t feed ''em, Don''t Breed ''em - Reply to this comment
- One important lesson democrasy teaches us is, to be free and enjoy the benefits of freedom, one must excersize exceptional caution. Just because the right has been given or voted into law to do something, one still has to "pay" the price for freedom. I think the cost here is, these people will not get another "decent" nights sleep, if any.
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