Gretchen Hoffman
More than a year ago, a scared young woman walked into the
Glendale Memorial Hospital lobby, holding a newborn she gave birth to
at home.
She had hidden the pregnancy from family and friends, and although
she'd never heard of the Safely Surrendered Baby law -- which allows
a parent to drop off a baby within 72 hours of birth with no
repercussions -- she somehow felt that the hospital was the right
place for her to go.
The lobby staff, however, had heard of the law, and directed the
woman to the emergency room.
"We provided the baby with immediate medical care, but more
importantly, we provided a safe haven," social worker Glenda Danek
said. "We allowed the mom and the baby to bond, have their last
goodbyes."
Although the Safely Surrendered Baby law took effect Jan. 1, 2001,
it's a law many people are not aware of, county Supervisor Don Knabe
said at a press conference Wednesday to introduce a statewide
publicity campaign.
The campaign is patterned after an effort in New Jersey, which
coined the slogan, "No Shame, No Blame, No Names." It's designed to
cut down on the number of babies abandoned in the state.
Across the state, 20 babies have since been safely surrendered,
and 39 babies have been abandoned -- 18 of which were found dead,
said Blanca Castro, a spokeswoman for the Department of Social
Services.
Just one baby has been surrendered at Glendale Memorial Hospital.
None has been surrendered at Glendale Adventist Medical Center or
Verdugo Hills Hospital, hospital officials said.
"The ultimate goal is no babies thrown away," Knabe said. "We are
making progress, one life at a time. You realize that there are a lot
of desperate people out there."
"No shame, no blame, no names, but most important is no questions
asked," he added.
The law includes a two-week "cooling off" period during which a
mother can return to the hospital to reclaim her baby. A numerical
identification bracelet is given to her so that she can identify
herself upon her return.
More than 40 states have passed similar laws, but California is
one of a few to set aside funds for a public awareness campaign.
