Safe Haven Law in Nebraska

I think it is wonderful that states have safe-haven laws. However, Nebraska didn't think to put an age limit on the children that could be dropped off at their hospitals. In fact 35 children, including some teenagers as old as 17, were dropped off and abandoned at state hospitals. Some of them were crying hysterically as they pleaded with their parents not to leave them there.

I saw one mother on television that said she just could no longer cope with her teenage son, so she drove halfway across the United States to drop him off in Nebraska. Isn't that sad? Anyway the lawmakers got together and drew up another bill that the Governor signed setting a limit of 30 days of age so no more of this will happen. Children were dropped off from as far away as Florida and Michigan. Five of the children were from other states. What sad situations in families.

Nebraska Safe-haven Law

It is really a good idea. But I know Nebraska never expected families to drop off teenagers to get rid of them. Now Gov. Dave Heineman said last Wednesday that he could wait no longer to address what has become a state embarrassment. He is going to call a special legislative session to amend Nebraska's loosely worded safe-haven law. In just a few months, it has allowed parents to abandon nearly two dozen children as old as 17. That is shocking!!

The Governor had planned to wait until the next regular legislative session which would convene in January, but changed his mind as the number of children dropped off at hospitals grew. He said "We've had five in the last eight days" in explaining why he called a special session. "We all hoped this wouldn't happen." The special session will begin November 14.