Abandonment Law Being Publicized

State social services officials say they will spend 500-thousand dollars to publicize a law that allows parents to abandon their newborns at hospitals without fear of

prosecution.

The law took effect January first, 2001. Governor Davis vetoed a bill in October that would have appropriated one million dollars for a publicity campaign.

At the time, the governor ordered administration officials to develop an outreach plan to “address this issue in a cost-effective manner.” Today´s announcement was the result of that effort.

Officials cite baby abandonment statistics from last year as an indication the law needs to be better publicized. In 2001, four babies were left at hospitals statewide. Seven were abandoned and found alive and two were found dead.