Aurora stresses importance of havens for abandoned babies

Nearly half of the 90 babies reported abandoned in Illinois since the adoption of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act in 2001 were legally relinquished to safe-haven agencies.

Two of them were from Aurora.

By recognizing Save Abandoned Babies Day, Aurora officials said Tuesday they hope to make all residents aware of the law designed to eliminate illegal abandonment of newborns.

The city also unveiled new signs that will hang outside safe havens to indicate where a parent can anonymously relinquish their unharmed baby to a staff member without fear of prosecution.

Illinois safe havens include all hospitals, staffed police stations, staffed fire stations and emergency medical care facilities.

Ric Jais of Save the Babies Foundation said the law gives "parents in crisis" an anonymous and legal alternative to abandoning the infant within the first week of life.

"We know that's when babies are most at risk of being killed or abandoned illegally," Jais said. "Hopefully the new signs will get people's attention. They'll tell a friend, talk about it and it might just save a life."

Police Chief William Powell said any infant brought to a safe haven is checked for signs of physical harm. If there has been no abuse, the parent is given a packet that includes information on the state's adoption registry, termination of parental rights and a listing of area counselors.

"Law enforcement will notify DCFS and investigate the National Crime Registry for missing children," Powell said.

Andrew Martinez, a special projects coordinator with the Department of Children and Family Services, said infants turned in at such safe havens are quickly placed for adoption and end up in loving homes.

"We know from experience that this (abandonment) happens in all communities and there's a perception that people having these children don't care," Martinez said. "I know they do care, but many times they don't know they have a choice. This gives them a good choice."

In Aurora, safe havens include the police department, each of the nine fire stations, Rush-Copley Medical Center and Provena Mercy Medical Center.

For more information visit www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org.