The "Baby Moses Law"

by Fatherofeight | More from this Blogger

28 Feb 2007 01:43 PM

There are a number of newborn or very young babies abandoned every year. Too often, they are left somewhere that they cannot survive for a long enough time to be found. In 1999, the Texas legislature passed a "Baby Moses Law". This law set up a procedure by which a parent could abandon a baby safely and without further responsibility or criminal liability. Many states have since passed similar laws.

The nickname "Baby Moses" comes from the biblical account of how the mother of Moses abandoned him in a place where he would be rescued and nursed to health. She put him in a basket and put it in the water where the daughter of the ruler of the land found him and took care of him, insuring the child's future.

The law stipulates that a parent can leave a child at a designated facility that is safe, willing, and able to care for the child. In Texas, hospitals, fire stations, and, in some cities, ambulance services are authorized to accept these infants. Any of these places will have doctors, nurses, or paramedics on site to assess the child's health and perform any tasks that are deemed medically necessary.

This law is saving lives. Just ten days ago, a woman knocked on the door of a fire station in Arlington, Texas. When the door was opened by a fireman, she handed him a newborn baby and said that she found him in a trash dumpster. The woman left and the fireman did not ask any questions. The baby was examined and found to be healthy. The fireman diapered and dressed the little boy and took him to a hospital.

In contrast, a woman who also lived in the Dallas area recently gave birth to a son and killed him before she put him in a dumpster. Clearly, she did not want the child and desired to be rid of him. Why didn't she just drive him to the nearest hospital or fire station and gently hand him to someone who would be willing to take care of him. The woman would have been absolved of all responsibility in regard to the child. Instead, she has been charged with murder.

It is hoped that more and more desperate people will seek the safety, security, and sanctity that this law offers both for them and their child.

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Pam Connell (2658) 28 Feb 2007 04:09 PM

Anything that saves children's lives has my blessing, but I also hope women and girls can be educated about their choices for making an adoption plan that will give their children some medical history. This can still maintain the birthmother's confidentiality if she so chooses. We were able to obtain earlier intervention for our daughter's developmental needs because her birthmother was honest about the prenatal experiences, etc. I wish I had more information on family health issues.

Fatherofeight (2475) 28 Feb 2007 07:02 PM

I agree completely, Pam, but I think that this law is for the people that are going to do something right away and don't want to leave any tracks. I am afraid that the woman in my blog who left a baby at a fire station might have done something bad with the child if she didn't have an easy way out. We have the problem with our boys of not really knowing anything. The mom is so wacked out and we know nothing about the dads.

Lisa P (24013) 01 Mar 2007 07:00 AM

Thank you so much for shedding light on this. Maybe this very blog will save a child's life someday.

Fatherofeight (2475) 01 Mar 2007 02:07 PM

Thank so much, Lisa, that thought gave me a big lift for the day. A few days ago in central Texas, some firemen noted a woman who was sitting across the street in her car just staring at the station house. She sat there for several hours. She finally left and came back with a baby she said she had found. Think of what a thrill it must be for the men who received this child.

Pam Connell (2658) 01 Mar 2007 04:40 PM

Another name for these laws is Safe Haven Laws. This might be the name to search under if readers are trying to see if their state has such a law. I'm interested to know other names for them too.

Fatherofeight (2475) 01 Mar 2007 09:58 PM

I saw a site that listed what states have it, most now do. I know Texas was first and many others followed. I will let you know if I find it, thanks, Pam.

PATTI (580) 05 Mar 2007 12:06 PM

Dear Ed, I have known about this law for a few years. It is saving lives. PATTI

Fatherofeight (2475) 05 Mar 2007 01:11 PM

That comment is from a pediatric nurse so I am guessing that she is saying that from her experience. Thanks, Patti.