LANCASTER – A newborn boy was safely surrendered at a fire station in Lancaster Wednesday morning [Sept. 16], authorities announced.
The newborn is the second this week to be turned over under the Safe Surrender law in Los Angeles County, according to Supervisor Don Knabe. The law allows someone to safely and anonymously surrender an infant that is no more than 3 days old at a fire station or hospital, provided there are no signs of abuse. A baby girl was also safely surrendered Sept. 11 at a hospital in Long Beach.
The newborns surrendered in Lancaster and Long Beach are in protective custody and will be placed with families approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.
“I am thrilled to hear that, in less than a week, two babies have been given a second chance at life and the opportunity to grow up in a loving family thanks to the Safe Surrender program,” Knabe said. “Safe Surrender, an idea born from tragedy, has grown into a truly life-saving and life-giving program. Though we’ve been able to save the lives of 136 babies so far, we need to continue spreading the word that there is a safe, secure and anonymous way for mothers, who find themselves in a desperate situation, to get their baby into safe hands — at any fire station or hospital, any time — and protect them from abandonment.”
This is the 12th Safe Surrender in Los Angeles County in 2015, and the 136th since the program began 14 years ago.
The program was initiated by Supervisor Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001.
To learn more about the Safe Surrender Program, visit BabySafeLA.org.
[Information via news release from L.A. County Public Affairs.]
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A. says
What love and courage it must take to do this! May God’s hands continue to guide the paths of the baby, birth mother, and adoptive parents.
Ryan Hunt says
Well said, I second that. Thank you Supervisor Knabe for initiating this program and Board of Supervisors for supporting it unanimously.
WOW says
I once read a book titled “To Fly Over the Swamp”, by Carlos Cuauhtemoc Sanchez, one of the stories was about a young mother that made the decision to giver her son up for adoption, after she had been gang-raped. A few of the lines were:
The birth was natural, I suffered great pains that perhaps became more intense because they were accompanied by immense sadness. When I gave birth, I heard my son cry and said:
-Let me see him
-We are sorry, a voice answered, that can’t happen. The adoption rules specify that it is prohibited.
-I need to say goodbye to him -I cried- please.
-Sorry it is impossible.
I heard them walking away.
-Stop! -I screamed-. Don’t leave. An adoption is like the most bitter medicine I must take to save him. I will drink the medicine, I promise, just let me say goodbye. That is my only plead.
Silence took over the room. The doctors and staff knew it was risky to go against policy, but they couldn’t deny my request.
-Just one minute…- they replied.
They placed my baby boy on my chest.
I embraced him and cried, I caressed him and filled him with kisses. I talked to him, I explained what I planned to do. He stopped crying as if he understood me. My tears moistened his little face. I told him I loved him and that was the main reason I allowed him to leave my side.
**Dear mom, if you are reading this, you need to know that you’ve given someone a beautiful gift- that “someone” is your child. Be proud, very proud!**
Joya says
What a courageous action. Hopefully the word will continue to spread that there are options in desperate situations …
Johnny Trece says
Although she did the right by giving her baby away to the right people, she needs to take a serious reality check and work on herself in order to avoid possibly doing it a second time. Giving a child away is very very difficult.
Dixie says
Desperate people do desperate things. Thankfully, there is such a program that offers a positive alternative for the innocent baby. Obviously this mother realizes there is work to be done, but what she doesn’t need in this moment is judgement. Hopefully there won’t be a “next time” for this woman, but if there ever is, I hope she will be brave enough and generous enough to give her child a chance in life as she did this time.
Tim Scott says
Your efforts to take the “safe” out of safe surrender through your judgmental chastisement is noted…and hopefully will be ignored.
Johnny Trece says
Did you read that off a fortune cookie? LOL!
Stacie says
Thank you for giving your baby a chance ~
From an adoptee who was blessed with the best family ♡♡
Annon2 says
Thank you for doing the right thing. God bless you and your child.
Annon says
She did the right thing.
Mom, if your reading this, God Bless you for saving your child. Know he will be taken care of. You did the right thing.