Sacramento, Calif., May 6, 2008 / 00:17 am
The California state government is no longer funding public awareness efforts for a state program that allows people legally and anonymously to leave newborn infants at “safe surrender” locations.
According to the California Catholic Daily, California’s “safe surrender” program allows anyone with legal custody of an infant three days old or younger to leave the baby at a hospital, fire station, or other designated location. The program was approved in 2000 after a series of high-profile incidents in which parents or other adults abandoned newborns to die.
Since the safe surrender program went into effect in January 2001, statewide 218 babies have been left at designated locations. According to a state auditor’s report released on April 29, the program “is not as effective as it might be.” In Los Angeles County since 2001, 57 babies have been abandoned, 45 of whom died.
Through December 2003 the state government spent $1.8 million to educate the public about the program. The initial campaign consisted of public service announcements broadcast in the state’s five largest radio and television markets. California Social Services has not attempted to secure more funding since 2002, saying further outreach was unnecessary.