Beeker’s Words

How many times did you hear this growing up?  I have met kids that could test a saint and I am amazed at how their parents keep their cool.  I think parents have the toughest job in the world but I was amazed when I read this news story out of Nebraska. Nebraska decided to expand their safe haven law to include any child. Safe Haven laws allow for people who do not want their newborns to drop the child off at hospitals and fire houses. Well Nebraska decided this should apply to any child. Even the big ones. Apparently parents have decided to take the state up on this offer. Read below…

Nine siblings are among 11 children as old as 17 who were left at Omaha hospitals Wednesday under Nebraska’s unique and new safe haven law, which allows caregivers to abandon babies and teenagers alike at hospitals without fear of prosecution.

The law, originally intended to protect infants, was expanded in a legislative compromise to protect any “child.” Some have interpreted that to mean anyone under 19.

Gov. Dave Heineman, who signed the law, and some other former supporters are among those now saying changes are needed.

“People are leaving them off just because they can’t control them,” state Sen. Arnie Stuthman, who introduced the original bill, said Thursday. “They’re probably in no real danger, so it’s an easy way out for the caretaker.”

The nine siblings — five boys and four girls ages 1 to 17 — were left by their father, who was not identified, at Creighton University Medical Center’s emergency room, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Unrelated boys ages 11 and 15 also were surrendered Wednesday at Immanuel Medical Center.

At least 16 children have been abandoned since the law took effect in July, the state agency said.”