Newborn baby given up at hospital

TORRANCE - A healthy newborn baby girl was surrendered at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, county officials announced this week.The baby is the fifth newborn safely surrendered at a hospital or fire station in Los Angeles County this year. The baby's mother gave birth at the hospital and informed a hospital social worker that she wanted to surrender the baby. As is standard practice, the baby was placed in protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption. Under the county's Safe Surrender program established 10 years ago, unwanted babies that are no more than three days old can be surrendered at hospitals or fire stations no questions asked, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse. "The Safe Surrender program was created to give a mother, no matter what the situation, a safe, secure and anonymous way to get her child into safe hands and to protect a baby from abandonment," said Supervisor Don Knabe. "Thanks to the Safe Surrender program, this baby girl has a second chance at life and hope for a bright future." Since the program launched, 88 babies have been safely surrendered.

********** Published: November 03, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 29