News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Just three months ago, the state of Nebraska legislature passed a law allowing parents or caretakers to abandon children as old as 18 years at certified hospitals without fear of prosecution.

To the surprise of many, sixteen children, some teenagers, have been left at drop-off places since then. One out-of-work widower abandoned nine children, ages one to 17.

James Blue is CEO of Cedars, a nonprofit organization that helps abused and neglected children in Nebraska. He said his group has been receiving more than ten calls a day from parents since the law passed.

"While the law exposed an underbelly of our society of families that are dropping off teenagers at hospitals," he said, "it also has given a message to families that there is help out there."

Labels: parenting, abandonment, laws

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Many states have laws that allow parents to drop off unwanted newborns babies in designated hospitals or police stations with no questions asked. The babies become wards of the states and are placed for adoption or reared in foster care or orphanages.

Now the Nebraska legislature has a new law effective July 18 that allows parents or caretakers to abandon any child under 19 years old.

"All children deserve our protection," said Senator Tom White. "If we save one child from being abused, it's well, well worth it."

Parents who have physically abused their children would face criminal charges even if they give up custody to the state.

Adam Pertman, executive director of a New York adoption institute, was one of the first experts to criticize the law.

"Whether the kid is disabled or unruly or just being a hormonal teenager, the state is saying: 'Hey, we have a really easy option for you,"' he said. "It circumvents every rational practice in child welfare that I'm aware of. That's as nicely as I can put it."

Labels: abandonment, laws, safe-haven

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