| Over 635 Babies saved since 1996 |
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What happens once you pick up a baby from a dumpster?
We don't pick babies up from dumpsters. We work with
frightened girls or women and help them find safe,
legal options so that they never have to leave a baby
at a dumpster, a church or dirty back alley. "No
baby deserves to die before it has had a chance to
live."
Are you
an adoption agency?
We are not an adoption agency or facilitator. We charge
nothing to the girls or to the families. We are a
non-profit charity and our only goal is to help each
girl or woman make a safe, legal decision. Approximately
60% of the girls and women raise their babies with
our help. We often help hold their hand as they tell
their parents, or find them shelter if they have been
kicked out. Others may choose adoption but where her baby will go is completely
up to her. She may work with
an agency or choose to work privately with an attorney.
We want each girl or woman to make a decision she
is comfortable with.
Do
girls really call for help?
Everyday we get calls from frightened girls and women
across this country. Thanks to the kindness of Clear
World Communications, a generous donor, we have now
expanded our services into Canada. Our toll-free number
crisis number for both countries is 1-888-628-3353.
How can I start a
chapter in my own state?
Because we want to maintain the integrity of the program,
we do not have other branches. We are based in Orange
County, California and have volunteers all over the
United States and Canada. Volunteers help publicize
our toll-free number in their area and when a call
comes in from a frightened girl or woman in that area,
we can refer her to a volunteer or resources in her
local area.
What
is baby abandonment?
Child abandonment can take many different forms, and
it can apply any time a child is left without appropriate
supervision for extended periods of time. In the last
year we have seen a national concern over a specific
type of baby abandonment and that will be the focus
of these FAQS. Baby abandonment for purposes of this
discussion is when an infant under the age of 12 months
is discarded or left alone for an extended period
of time in a public/private setting with an intention
to dispose of the baby.
How prevalent is baby
abandonment in the United States?
Unfortunately no one really knows. It has been estimated
that there are 57 babies abandoned daily across the
United States-that adds up to over 20,000 babies
a year. However, all states and/or counties are not
uniformly maintaining data. The federal government
does not have a formal data gathering process for
this specific information.
Why
is this issue of growing national concern?
Abandoned children have always been a concern in this
country and states have criminal as well as child
abuse laws to address it. The growing concern seems
to stem from a realization that despite the existing
legal framework, babies are being abandoned, harmed
and sometimes dying as a result. The State of Texas
experienced an unprecedented rash of baby abandonment
in 1999. 13 babies were abandoned in the first 10
months of 1999. The string of abandonments garnered
significant media and political attention.
Is baby abandonment illegal?
Baby abandonment is always illegal. However, at least 43 states allow a girl or woman to "safely surrender" her baby to staff at a hospital emergency room or in some states fire stations and other locations are allowed. Each state varies.
What is known about
the abandoned babies and the persons responsible for
the abandonment?
Little is known as no research has been done that
identifies the population of parents who abandon their
babies. There is information about individual cases,
but they are not sufficient for a sample by which
to make valid conclusions.
Why
do we only hear about mothers abandoning their babies?
What about the fathers?
Media and political officials have focused on mothers
because most reported cases have involved the mothers.
Fathers may be directly or indirectly involved
but we have no evidence at this time.
How have states responded
to this problem?
Many states have enacted or introducing legislation
that provides a process for legally surrendering a child.
The intent is to give parents an avenue to safely
turn over their child to a third party. Many private organizations have been established on a local level to address the issues surrounding baby abandonment, i.e. burial services, crisis hotlines such as Project Cuddle's™ 1-888-628-3353 number.
What was the first state
to pass legislation?
Texas was the first state to enact legislation in
September 1999.
How many states have passed
laws dealing with baby abandonment?
44 states have passed legislation and many more are
in the process.
In general, what does
the legislation entail?
The legislation varies from state to state but they
all have similar elements. They provide for an affirmative
defense or immunity from criminal prosecution against
parents who leave their newborn infants safely in
the hands of designated caregivers, as identified
by the law. Some provide for anonymity, others require
an attempt at establishing the identity of a parent
as well as some minimal information about the baby's
history.
What happens
once a baby is safe and in the hands of authorities?
That is dependent upon the laws of the state as they
pertain to child abuse and neglect, foster care, and
adoption. For the most part however, once a baby is
medically stable the state would arrange for care
in a foster or adoptive home.
Is
anyone opposed to this legislation?
Yes, some individuals and organizations have expressed
concern regarding the legislation. There is apprehension
about the adoption process being jeopardized because
of a lack of medical history, lack of legal relinquishing
of parental rights, etc. There is also a concern about
the law condoning irresponsible behavior by allowing
parents to discard their children.
Why
does your program work?
We feel that one of the most important things is to
work hands on with each girl or woman. She deserves
to be treated with respect and TLC. Once she has delivered, Project Cuddle™ continues to assist her in establishing a plan for
her future or re-establish family relations if she so desires.
What is your stand on
the baby abandonment laws?
It is our sincere hope that these laws help save lives.
We believe that education is key. We hope that those
that are promoting these laws will also provide Project Cuddle's™ toll-free number as an alternative
for those that desire help prior to or directly after
the birth of their baby. |
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If
you or someone you know is hiding a pregnancy
call our toll-free phone number anytime, 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.
English : 1-888-628-3353
Spanish : 1-888-483-2323
This number is for crisis calls ONLY and we need
to keep this line open for women in need of help.
For non-crisis calls you may phone us at: (714) 432-9681
or email us at: info@projectcuddle.org
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