NEBRASKA... Is it TRUE???  

I know what you are saying here. I also don't understand how anyone could possibly leave their child in a dumpster or anywhere just to die. It is horrible. The fact is that regardless of what we think is right, it happens all the time and all too often. Our thoughts of right and wrong are not going to change a dam thing in this world...simple. I do agree 100% with this law. If a woman has a baby that she absolutely does not want for whatever reason, it would be so much better for her to drop it off at a place where it will be cared for and a good home will be found for it rather than it being found in a dumpster. I do agree that the woman who does this should be held accountable...it is despicable. There comes a point, however, where the child's life is far more important than punishing the mother.

This law while it sickens you is needed to protect children. There are young children's life at stake and while I understand your outrage I want these children to live more.
I think this law and those like it (many states have a similair law) were implemented to allow children to be dropped off- don't misunderstand though, if a child appears to be abused the parents will be found and charged- it isn't a blanket law to protect abusers.
In Illinois the law states that a child 72 hours or younger can be dropped off no questions asked to the nearest ER and there will be no punishment for this. It is meant to protect the child and wether we agree or not the mental state of the parent involved. I know on the surface it seems harsh but there is proof that these laws have saved innocent lives.

We have a similar law here in Florida. I can't say that I agree with it, but I guess it is a good option for people who feel that they can not properly provide for their kids. The story you told of the man who dropped of NINE of his kids is an example of child abandonment, and charges should have been filed. I think the law is mainly aimed at people with newborns, but I am not sure.

The Safe Haven laws were set up to protect the interest of the children. The mothers of newborn babies can drop off a child at any hospital, fire house and in some cases police station in the area with no questions asked. While it sounds awful, consider that these unwanted babies might otherwise end up in dumpsters or "disposed of" in far worse ways. I'd rather a person who can't handle the responsibility of having a child do that than toss the kid in a dumpster.

Allowing kids up to the age of 18 to be dropped off is a little bit (ok, a LOT) ridiculous. All of the states with Safe Haven laws that I've heard of, the child can't be more than a couple of weeks old. There's something incredibly wrong with that idea.

Actually, it's true in NJ and DE as well (and I think PA), but their laws are worded in a way to prevent people from, as you say, DUMPING older children as was done in Nebraska after that law took effect. Those people ought to be ashamed of themselves!! Yet, if that's how they felt about their kids, then the kids are better off - even though I'm sure they're already emotionally damaged by now. Those people should be required to have their tubes tied (male AND female) because they aren't worthy of accidentally having another child.

From 1850 to 1930 there was the orphan trains that took children from some of the largest cities in the north east and took them to smaller communities to find homes for them. Many of these kids had one or both parents living but were unable to care for them so the kids were put in orphanages. Some thought their kids would have a better life.
Then there were the kids that separated from their family's during the depression of the 30s.
we don't know the full extent of these parents leaving their older children at these safe havens. some of these kids are dropped off by Aunts and Grandmothers that can no longer cope. There isn't the extended family to help any more. These aren't mindless idiots as you have claimed. these parents could have just walked out the door and never look back as so many do.
Yes the law was poorly worded, but these kids need help too and possibly DCF turned them down.

wow you are so right on this issue it,s a shame i feel sorry for the kids that involved in this situation you are right they are one who will be in misery not the parents.jumping from foster parents to foster parent not all of them are good foster parents.i could never give up my children under any situation.thank you for sharing

really..? that sounds very awful.. it's like that they are allowing or tolerating such irresponsibilty instead of teaching their citizens how to be good mothers. they are like allowing their minors to think that it's okay and that they can leave their babies for other people to care for them if they are not ready for it.. but then again.. mothers should be mothers and learn how to face the consequences of their actions..

In my home country most children live in a loving home but some children are in foster care instead of their mother. I have a 13 year old son and a 16 month old son that I care for and wouldn't dream of dumping them. Child cruelty is a serious issue and children should not be with a violent person. I would never have abortion and if raped I would have my baby adopted. I think that a lady that aborts her baby might later regret that decision. It is not right that a new born baby could be dumped at the nearest hospital. I wish that every parent could be responsible. A child of older than 3 would be really upset that there own parents don't want them. It could emotionally harm them for life.

I live in Iowa, which borders Nebraska. Iowans are outraged at a father who recently left 9 children at a hospital in Nebraska. The Nebraska law allows children up to the age of 19 to be dropped off. In Iowa, the law only allows infants 72 hours or less to be dropped off. I agree that parents need to be responsible for their children and deal with the consequences but at the same time, there have been a lot of children saved due to these laws.

I do think with the economic hardships we are having that we will see more of this as more people lose their jobs and fewer jobs are available. People are not able to provide for their families and I think as they get desparate they will see these laws as a way to provide for their children. The harsh reality is that sometimes there are situations that none of may know about or understand, but as a parent, I think there would have to be a feeling of no other choice to leave children like that, especially the older children. I have two teenagers and I know my love for them has only grown more and more over the years.

I honestly think if people didn't try to judge others so much but try to understand what they are going through and why they would make such a choice and possibly trying to help them, maybe we wouldn't need these laws at all. People just can't turn to their family, friends, and neighbors like they used to. Most people are out for themselves at this point in time, sad but it's true (at least in the US).