New law may allow abandonment
By Erica Sagon
Asst.
City Editor
Abandoning babies is a crime punishable
by law, but new legislation could legalize abandonment.
The abandoned baby legislation is an amendment
to a long-term foster care bill. The amendment would allow mothers to
anonymously give their unwanted babies to an emergency care provider,
such as a fire or police station, and not be charged for criminal abandonment.
The baby would then be placed in foster care.
Sheila Klinker, R-27th District, said this
amendment was created in response to cases in Indianapolis where mothers
were abandoning their babies by throwing them in trash cans outside of
hospital doors.
Klinker said the amendment would stop these
incidents from happening.
"It will make a big difference. It will
give a feeling of security that a desperate person would have," Klinker
said.
Under the amendment, a mother who leaves
her baby with an emergency care provider could choose to remain anonymous
or provide her name and other information to be contacted after she has
had time to think about her actions.
Klinker said the option to remain anonymous
would discourage mothers from abandoning their babies in a harmful way.
"In many cases, (the mothers) don't want
anyone to know. It's a shame thing," Klinker said.
Klinker said she doesn't expect to see
an alarming increase of babies in foster care because of this amendment.
"But if it saves 10 babies, it's worth
it," she said.
Rebecca Rouch, an attorney who focuses
on adoption, said one of the reasons she supports this amendment is because
there is a demand for babies to be adopted.
"There are many more people who want to
adopt healthy newborns than there are babies available," Rouch said. "There
are many, many people with empty arms who would be wonderful parents."
Rouch said this amendment will convince
mothers that they have a choice if they wish not to keep their babies.
"To me, it would be unimaginable to abandon
a baby, but there are women in situations who feel they have no choice.
It sure beats leaving a baby in a garbage can," Rouch said.
However, Christine Neulieb, a member of
the Students for Life group on campus, said she views the amendment differently.
"It's going to lead to devaluing of human
life," Neulibe said. "I don't think a mother should be forced to keep
her baby … but mothers need to take responsibility for their children."
Neulibe said she would like to see mothers
who are thinking about abandoning their babies turn to an adoption service.
Rouch said there are some mothers who need
an alternative.
"I think it's a compassionate alternative;
it's an affirmation of life to have this option available," Rouch said.
|
