11th Instance Of Safe Haven Law Occurred On October 22 - Nebraska

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 24 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PST

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Todd Landry, director of the Division of Children and Family Services for the Department of Health and Human Services, said a 17-year-old boy was left at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha through LB 157, Nebraska's "safe haven" law, on October 22.

This is the 11th instance of use of LB 157 and the 19th child left at a hospital under the law since September 13. LB 157 went into effect on July 18 in Nebraska.

The Safe Haven Law

Legislative Bill 157 was introduced in the 2008 Legislative Session. Forty-eight senators voted for the final version of LB 157. It was signed by Governor Heineman on February 13, 2008.

LB 157 created a 'safe haven' option that prohibits prosecution for leaving a child at a hospital.

LB 157's intent was to protect children who are in immediate danger of being harmed.

If safety is not an issue, there are other resources available so that the family can remain together and the child does not experience the trauma that abandonment may cause.

More information about Nebraska's safe haven law, as well as information about local resources for families, can be found on the Department's Website at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/ Children_Family_Services/SafeHaven.

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services