*Faceplant*

[patgund]

Remember that Nebraska "Safe Haven" law that could possibly allow parents to abandon teenagers at hospitals or fire stations??

Well, it's happened.

Woman leaves teen at hospital under safe haven law

"Lawmakers were afraid this would happen: Two older children were abandoned over the weekend under the state’s new safe haven law.

In Lincoln, a 15-year-old boy’s guardian dropped him off at BryanLGH Medical Center West Saturday evening, saying she couldn’t deal with the boy’s behavioral issues, Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady said.

He and an 11-year-old boy — taken to Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha over the weekend — are the first two to be abandoned under a Nebraska safe haven law that went into effect in July.

Neither was in any immediate danger when dropped off, said Todd Landry, director of the Children and Family Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Neither the guardian in Lincoln nor the parent in Omaha will be charged with a crime. Before the law went into effect, they could have been charged with child neglect or abandonment, both misdemeanors, or felony child abuse."

Comments

[thats-ms-dragon.livejournal.com]

I think it is better leaving them in a hospital than abusing the kid. The kids are probably better off and the family is getting help. Too many kids are stuck in homes where the adults are feeling helpless and are ticking time bombs. I would rather they all get the help they need, no questions. Without that option, who knows what might have happened.

*hugs*

[nolly.livejournal.com]

I agree, but I think some sort of easily-accessed respite-care program might be a good idea, too -- a temporary, rather than permanent safe-haven.