Teenager left at Nebraska Hospital- would be 24th kid - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Wreckless · 10-30-2008, 10:39 AM

By ANNA JO BRATTON

Associated Press Writer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Another teenager has been dropped off at a hospital under the state's much-criticized safe haven, which lawmakers say they'll change to lower the age limit.

A 17-year-old boy was left at an Omaha hospital Wednesday night, a hospital spokesman said Thursday. If his case is confirmed, he would be the 24th child abandoned under the law.

When lawmakers tackle the issue at a special session on Nov. 14, they will find no national consensus on what the age limit should be.

Nebraska was the last state to enact a safe-haven law, a measure intended to prevent infanticide and the unsafe abandonment of newborns.

Since the law took effect in July, none of the children dropped off at hospitals were newborns and three of them were from out of state. The reason: Nebraska's law provides safe haven for any ``child.'' It doesn't set an age limit.

Some have taken the word ``child'' in the law to mean ``minor,'' which in Nebraska includes anyone under the age of 19. Others have adopted the common law definition, which includes those under age 14.

Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood said he'll introduce a bill establishing a 3-day-old age limit, but the Legislature could change that.

At least 15 states use a 3-day-old threshold, according to the National Safe Haven Alliance.

But the age limit is 14 days in Iowa, just across Nebraska's line. And to the north in South Dakota, the limit is 60 days.

``They're making it all up as they go along,'' said Adam Pertman, executive director of a New York adoption institute and a frequent critic of safe-haven laws. ``Where's the research that indicates that this is the right length of time?''

The absence of any national standard for an age limit was one reason why Nebraska lawmakers decided to use the generic term ``child'' in their law.

``It does open a door to older children being left off,'' state Sen. Gwen Howard said during January's debate on the legislation. ``I don't see that being a problem.''

Howard said Wednesday she'd listen to arguments for and against changing the law before making a decision.

``We want to protect all children,'' she said. ``We can't walk away from the problem that's out there.''

Tim Jaccard, president of the National Safe Haven Alliance, said he hopes to bring all 50 states to an agreement on a standard age limit and possibly lobby for federal legislation.

``It's kind of a strange thing,'' said Jaccard, a police officer in Nassau County, N.Y. ``If you were born in New York, you have five days. If you walk across the street (to Connecticut), you've got 30 days.''

Safe haven laws vary widely by state.

A 3-day-old age limit is the most common, according to the alliance. The next most common limit is 30 days, which is used in 14 states. If Nebraska changes its law, the highest age limit would be in North Dakota, which accepts children up to one year old.

Changing the Nebraska law will at least cut down on abandonment of older children, said Pertman, who directs the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. But states need to spend time and money to find better solutions to the problem of unwanted children.

``People want cheap and easy today,'' he said. ``When you wing it setting law and policy, you take risks.''

Jaccard argues the intent of the law - preventing infanticide - is sound.

He started the safe haven movement in 1998, after finding a baby drowned in a toilet bowl by his mother, and others in plastic bags, buried or in recycling bins.

``The bottom line is, I don't want to see another baby in a Dumpster ever again,'' he said.

On the Net:

National Safe Haven Alliance: http://nationalsafehavenalliance.org

10/30/08 10:00 © Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Link- http://channels.isp.netscape.com/new...02.htm&sc=1110

TripperFan · 10-30-2008, 12:14 PM

This shouldn't be funny to me, but it is. Just shows how many parents would like to drop off their teenagers if the law said they could!

At least in Nebraska when your parents tell you they'll dump you somewhere you know they actually could!

sunshinefizzy · 10-30-2008, 03:10 PM

Gee whiz, great parents.

MonarC · 10-30-2008, 03:53 PM

This is really sad.

browneyes106 · 10-31-2008, 01:22 AM

This story is sad but dumb at the same. The kid is close to adult age for them to leave him at the hospital.

dawsongirl · 10-31-2008, 01:47 AM

Nebraska has never been so popular.

TripperFan · 10-31-2008, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

Nebraska has never been so popular.

InspectorExstead · 10-31-2008, 04:59 PM

wow...that is really sucky. the kid is so close to turning 18 & his parents just dump him. sad.

Purffin · 10-31-2008, 10:04 PM

These parents are just heartless, how could you go abandon your child like that? These people irresponsibly go out and make all these kids and then they don't want to care for them.
And as for the ones that murder their own children , they should have their genitals removed.

10-30-2008, 10:39 AM	#1
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Teenager left at Nebraska Hospital- would be 24th kid By ANNA JO BRATTON Associated Press Writer OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Another teenager has been dropped off at a hospital under the state's much-criticized safe haven, which lawmakers say they'll change to lower the age limit. A 17-year-old boy was left at an Omaha hospital Wednesday night, a hospital spokesman said Thursday. If his case is confirmed, he would be the 24th child abandoned under the law. When lawmakers tackle the issue at a special session on Nov. 14, they will find no national consensus on what the age limit should be. Nebraska was the last state to enact a safe-haven law, a measure intended to prevent infanticide and the unsafe abandonment of newborns. Since the law took effect in July, none of the children dropped off at hospitals were newborns and three of them were from out of state. The reason: Nebraska's law provides safe haven for any ``child.'' It doesn't set an age limit. Some have taken the word ``child'' in the law to mean ``minor,'' which in Nebraska includes anyone under the age of 19. Others have adopted the common law definition, which includes those under age 14. Speaker of the Legislature Mike Flood said he'll introduce a bill establishing a 3-day-old age limit, but the Legislature could change that. At least 15 states use a 3-day-old threshold, according to the National Safe Haven Alliance. But the age limit is 14 days in Iowa, just across Nebraska's line. And to the north in South Dakota, the limit is 60 days. ``They're making it all up as they go along,'' said Adam Pertman, executive director of a New York adoption institute and a frequent critic of safe-haven laws. ``Where's the research that indicates that this is the right length of time?'' The absence of any national standard for an age limit was one reason why Nebraska lawmakers decided to use the generic term ``child'' in their law. ``It does open a door to older children being left off,'' state Sen. Gwen Howard said during January's debate on the legislation. ``I don't see that being a problem.'' Howard said Wednesday she'd listen to arguments for and against changing the law before making a decision. ``We want to protect all children,'' she said. ``We can't walk away from the problem that's out there.'' Tim Jaccard, president of the National Safe Haven Alliance, said he hopes to bring all 50 states to an agreement on a standard age limit and possibly lobby for federal legislation. ``It's kind of a strange thing,'' said Jaccard, a police officer in Nassau County, N.Y. ``If you were born in New York, you have five days. If you walk across the street (to Connecticut), you've got 30 days.'' Safe haven laws vary widely by state. A 3-day-old age limit is the most common, according to the alliance. The next most common limit is 30 days, which is used in 14 states. If Nebraska changes its law, the highest age limit would be in North Dakota, which accepts children up to one year old. Changing the Nebraska law will at least cut down on abandonment of older children, said Pertman, who directs the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute. But states need to spend time and money to find better solutions to the problem of unwanted children. ``People want cheap and easy today,'' he said. ``When you wing it setting law and policy, you take risks.'' Jaccard argues the intent of the law - preventing infanticide - is sound. He started the safe haven movement in 1998, after finding a baby drowned in a toilet bowl by his mother, and others in plastic bags, buried or in recycling bins. ``The bottom line is, I don't want to see another baby in a Dumpster ever again,'' he said. On the Net: National Safe Haven Alliance: http://nationalsafehavenalliance.org 10/30/08 10:00 © Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Link- http://channels.isp.netscape.com/new...02.htm&sc=1110

10-30-2008, 12:14 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	This shouldn't be funny to me, but it is. Just shows how many parents would like to drop off their teenagers if the law said they could! At least in Nebraska when your parents tell you they'll dump you somewhere you know they actually could!
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

10-31-2008, 04:59 PM	#8
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	wow...that is really sucky. the kid is so close to turning 18 & his parents just dump him. sad.
	__________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

10-31-2008, 10:04 PM	#9
Purffin Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 25, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 315	These parents are just heartless, how could you go abandon your child like that? These people irresponsibly go out and make all these kids and then they don't want to care for them. And as for the ones that murder their own children , they should have their genitals removed.
	__________________ "If you don't like your job, you don't strike! You just go in everyday and do it half-assed" -Homer Simpson

10-30-2008, 03:10 PM	#3
sunshinefizzy Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 27, 2006 Location: Craptown Posts: 2,054	Gee whiz, great parents.

10-30-2008, 03:53 PM	#4
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	This is really sad.

10-31-2008, 01:22 AM	#5
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	This story is sad but dumb at the same. The kid is close to adult age for them to leave him at the hospital.

10-31-2008, 01:47 AM	#6
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	Nebraska has never been so popular.