Nine children abandoned at hospital emergency room in Nebraska, USA
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A man has abandoned his nine children at a hospital emergency room in Nebraska, but will not be prosecuted under Nebraska state law.
The children, whose ages range from 1 to 17 years old, were dropped off by their unnamed father at Saint Joseph Hospital at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha on Wednesday evening. Authorities are still trying to find the children's mother.
According to Nebraska's 'safe haven law', the parents or caretaker of any children aged 17 and under are allowed to abandon them at any facility that has a valid license with the state. As a result, the parents would not be prosecuted for doing so. Originally the law was to prevent infants from being abandoned, but was recently amended to include toddlers and teenagers.
Since the law was changed, at least 14 children have been abandoned at hospitals and police stations in Nebraska. State law says that all facilities must keep a monthly count of all abandoned children.
Sources
- "Man abandons 9 children at Neb. hospital" — United Press International, September 25, 2008
- "14 Neb. kids were abandoned under safe haven law" — KCAU-TV, September 25, 2008
- Jane Akre. "9 Children Abandoned Under New Nebraska Safe Haven Law" — 9 Children Abandoned Under New Nebraska Safe Haven Law, September 25, 2008
- Timberly Ross. "Father drops off 9 kids under Neb. safe haven law" — Associated Press, September 25, 2008
External links
- Debate stalls on safe haven bill March 12, 2008