The California Safe Haven Law

It is always better to adopt than abort. You may have forgotten that California has a "Safe Haven" law that allows unwanted children to be delivered to the nearest hospital or public safety office. You must check which sites will allow such surrendering. This law was permanently put into effect on January 1^st, 2006. And, according to the Department of Social Services, as of June 30^th, 2009, 251 newborns were safely surrendered. Another 149 infants were abandoned but found alive.

This law allows a parent to safely surrender their child within 72 hours of birth at a private or public hospital, fire station and other various places. They don't ask questions, they are just glad you did the right thing. According to the Department of Social Services, your baby will receive medical care and be placed into an adoption program or foster home. Parents also have up to 14 days to reclaim their child.

COMMENTARY

I am a man. But I am a man with a heart. Children, regardless of where they come from are a blessing. Pregnancy often comes at the most in-opportune time. It may be from rape or from a simple unexpected event, but none the less it is a life. It is a life that should be allowed to have a start. He or she should be allowed to grow up and play, and laugh and have friends. I don't pretend to know the pain that comes from carrying an unwanted baby around, but it takes just nine months to do the right thing. California, being the worst state of all time, has actually done the right thing here. It's time people do the same. Save a child. Now you know the law.