An idea I wish the UK would adopt.
By Kaz
@KarenAnne (257)
United Kingdom
January 19, 2024 9:56am CST
The one they have in the USA where you can abandon a baby at a hospital or fire station without any questions.
This morning someone walking a dog found a newborn baby girl in a park in London. Thankfully she was alive and the dog walker kept her warm until police arrived because it was below freezing.
If she hadn't been found quickly she would have soon died.
12 people like this
13 responses
@marguicha (223107)
• Chile
19 Jan
I don´t really know what happens in my country with those babies. They have that problem in places where I don´t live. I´m so sorry that babies can be left to die when there are so many people who want to adopt a child.
5 people like this
@1creekgirl (41445)
• United States
19 Jan
In a city near us, a teenaged girl left her newborn behind a dumpster in below freezing temperatures. Thank God someone found the baby in time. There's no excuse for this. We have the law that allows babies to be left with the police with no charges, but this girl wouldn't even do that.
4 people like this
@xFiacre (13035)
• Ireland
19 Jan
@karenanne Saw that on the news - heartbreaking. An “amnesty” idea might be a good idea.
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (41445)
• United States
19 Jan
Fiacre, what kind of amnesty are you talking about?
1 person likes this
@KarenAnne (257)
• United Kingdom
22 Jan
@1creekgirl Currently, abandoning a baby is a crime in the UK (although whether the mother is charged can depend on her circumstances), there's no "safe haven" to leave a child so even if you handed them over in a hospital you could still be charged. A legal way to hand a child over might reduce the number being abandoned in unsafe situations.
@aninditasen (16397)
• Raurkela, India
20 Jan
That's really very sad. Hope the baby is looked after well.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (178877)
• United States
20 Jan
Yes, it's cruel to abandon a baby in a park or some even put a baby in a dumpster. I'm glad someone came across the baby in the park. Have a good weekend.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (92818)
• United States
19 Jan
You can also leave them in churches. Of course, fire stations have the specially heated “drop” boxes. I was thrilled when they passed these laws allowing mothers (and fathers) to leave babies in protected places with these safe haven laws. It has saved many babies, and I would love to see this done everywhere.
3 people like this
@KarenAnne (257)
• United Kingdom
22 Jan
I think actual prosecutions are quite rare and usually dependent on her circumstances. If she doesn't come forward the child will be fostered for a time and then probably adopted.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16126)
• Nairobi, Kenya
19 Jan
It's sad the baby was abandoned in freezing temperatures. I'm glad she is alive.
2 people like this
@Momandwife89 (27)
•
5 Feb
Wait.. so why is that not an option in London? It is sad though, to find a baby in below freezing weather in a park. Heartbreaking for sure!
1 person likes this
@Itsonlyadream (239)
•
5 Feb
I find it unimaginable that this day and age that we can not protect every new born baby. I also feel for the mother who must have felt that her baby had no chance in life and this was the only alternative. She must be in a very dark place. I am glad to see many changes are happening for the good all over the world.
1 person likes this
