Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Thursday, December 21, 2000

Release #482-00

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel / Michael Anton (212) 788-2958

MAYOR GIULIANI AND BROOKLYN DISTRICT ATTORNEY HYNES
ANNOUNCE "BABY SAFE HAVEN"

New State Law Shields Troubled Parents Who Safely Abandon Newborns at Hospitals, Firehouses & Other "Safe Havens"

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today joined Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, Administration for Children's Services (ACS) Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen at the Brooklyn Hospital Center to launch "Baby Safe Haven," a program that will provide a network of "safe havens" throughout Brooklyn for newborns who might otherwise be inhumanely abandoned by confused or frightened parents. The Brooklyn Hospital Center will be one of the participating "safe havens" in the program.

The Mayor also called attention to a new State law-the Abandoned Infant Protection Act-that shields parents from criminal prosecution if they abandon their newborn infants in "a safe, suitable location or with an appropriate person."

"Several recent cases which resulted in the deaths of newborns abandoned by their mothers underscore the importance of the new safe abandonment law, and the efforts of District Attorney Hynes through the 'Baby Safe Haven' program in Brooklyn," Mayor Giuliani said.

"Parents need not fear criminal prosecution if they leave an unwanted newborn in a safe location like a hospital, a firehouse, or in the home of a responsible relative or a friend. We need to continue to spread the word about this important new law so that parents, many of whom are too young to shoulder the responsibilities of parenthood, feel comfortable that they can give up their child in a safe and unthreatening manner. I commend District Attorney Hynes for taking the lead on this important issue and urge others to follow," the Mayor continued.

Brooklyn District Attorney Hynes said, "I am proud that we have created 'Baby Safe Haven' to provide a caring and humane response to a very tragic problem: the abandonment of newborn infants by mothers who are too embarrassed to admit to their families that they have given birth to a child or who feel that they are not capable of caring for a newborn infant. The program provides a safe alternative to abandonment and unites prosecutors, public and medical professionals, and child protective agencies in the mission to prevent the death of children."

According to statistics from the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, over the past 10 years there were 47 cases in which newborns were abandoned by their mothers in Brooklyn. The abandoned infant died in 25 of those cases and survived in 23 of the cases. Those 47 cases led to 17 arrests, 11 for homicide and six for attempted murder or abandonment. One of the mothers arrested was 12 years old, four were between 13 and 16, seven were between 17 and 21 and five were 22 or older.

Earlier this month, a 17-year-old was charged with second-degree murder after her newborn infant was found dead in an alleyway as a result of blunt trauma to the head.

ACS Commissioner Scoppetta said: "It is our hope that this new State law and this new program with District Attorney Hynes and his staff will save the lives of newborn infants. At ACS, we are working closely with the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) and several other City agencies to work out procedures so that we have a safe abandonment system that works quickly and effectively on a citywide basis."

Commissioner Von Essen said, "Firefighters, Paramedics and EMTs-in their role as emergency responders-have seen the often tragic consequences that occur when infants are abandoned by despondent and desperate parents. They now hope to be part of the solution to this problem, by opening the doors of the City's firehouse and EMS Stations and offering an alternative to parents who feel they have no place to turn."

The "Baby Safe Haven" Program is a comprehensive effort by the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, ACS, the New York City Fire Department and 17 private and HHC hospitals throughout Brooklyn, including Brooklyn Hospital. The HHC hospitals involved in the program include Kings County Hospital Center, Woodhull Medical Center, and Coney Island Hospital. The law, which was signed in July 2000, provides a parent with an affirmative defense to prosecution if the parents leaves an infant who is no more than five days old with an appropriate person or in a suitable location. The law stipulates that the parent must promptly notify an appropriate person of the child's location and act with the intent that the child be safe from physical injury.

The "Baby Safe Haven" program has set up a hotline for mothers who need information about "Safe Haven" locations in Brooklyn. The toll free hotline is operated by the AMT Children of Hope Foundation can be reached by calling (877) 796-HOPE.

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