Infant abandonment claims the lives of countless babies every year.  The individuals responsible for these crimes often commit them because they are overwhelmed by the thought of having a child or are experiencing extreme amounts of pressure from family and friends not to go through with the pregnancy.  No matter the specific cases, all the infant deaths that have occurred because of infant abandonment could have been avoided simply by the knowing the options.

The most important option to consider is life.  If you are an individual with a child under 3-days old and feel you are unable to take care of the baby for whatever reason, bring the child either to the closest fire station or hospital and you can surrender the child to an employee there with no questions asked.

These are the terms of the Safe Surrender law and it is completely legal and anonymous:

• Take your baby to a hospital or fire station within 72 hours of the child’s birth.
  
  
• Surrender the baby to an employee of the hospital or fire station.
  
  
• You may fill out the optional paperwork needed in case you decide to reclaim your child within 14 days.
  
  
• To speak to a nurse, please call (909) 920-4912.

Information for School Superintendents/Principals, Community Leaders, & Health Educators

San Antonio Community Hospital, like many hospitals in the greater Los Angeles area, has been equipped to meet the requirements of the Safe Surrender law.  And even though employees have been trained and educated about the process it seems that the most important audience has been neglected, the young girls themselves.  In response to this educational need, SACH formed a committee of nurses dedicated to developing a public awareness campaign for the Safe Surrender law.  Using everything from internet exposure to a public service film, the campaign has been designed to make sure that the options are clear and concise.  More importantly it has been designed to insure that no more innocent lives are lost to infant abandonment.  For more information or an educational kit, which includes a DVD and posters, please call (909) 920-6153.