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

(AP)  A second teenager from outside Nebraska has been left at an Omaha hospital under the state's unique safe-haven law, apparently after his parent flew to the city specifically to abandon him, state officials said Monday.

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.

[barbaram99]

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.

[volleymom3]

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!!

[barbaram99]

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.

[hcas73]

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.

[gopack443]

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.

[sarahlynn937]

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.

[upto1947]

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

[chyenna-2009]

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.

[upto1947]

mswolfestock: You are so right.

[upto1947]

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.