|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Back To All Blogs | Blog 80 of 170 | Prev Next |
|
AH, BUT IT'S A LONG DRIVE TO NEBRASKA
Published On 11-22-2008 , 2:47 PM
WITHOUT a full look at the reasons older children were abandoned at hospitals in Nebraska under that state's safe haven law, one would think the parents who did this were pretty awful.
That may not be the case.
Safe haven laws that are on the books in all 50 states have been enacted to protect infants from being in harm's way when born to a mother who, for whatever reason, can't care for her baby.
Safe havens are designated places such as hospitals and fire stations where the infant can be dropped off without any questions asked.
Nebraska has been the only state enacting this legislation without stipulating a cut-off age and using the word child instead of infant, thereby laying themselves open for parents to abandon their kids - no matter what age.
The law took effect in July and since that time, of the children who have been abandoned, none were infants. Instead the children range in age from 1 to 17.
Nine of the children were left by their father who did this after the sudden death of his wife. The father, Gary Staton, said he just fell apart and didn't think he could raise the kids.
A 15-year-old was left by his aunt who was his guardian because, she said, even with medication she was unable to manage his behavior problems. Death was involved in this case also, as the teen's mother had died and the father was an absent one. It was this set of circumstances that led to the aunt becoming legal guardian.
What these cases clearly demonstrate is that families are in trouble. And the significant role that death seems to have played in perpetuating the actions of Mr. Staton and the guardian aunt can't help but raise the question of inadequate family services.
Where's the help in Nebraska? Where's the help in California and in every other state? Where's the help for parents, no death involved, who just can't cope?
Nowadays, confronting misbehaving teens about their unacceptable deeds and actions is simply met by them with a stone-eyed stare and a so-what attitude.
Punishments? Please! For too many parents, these have become weapons of the past.
The boy who stole from the department store while shopping with his mother had no remorse when apprehended by security guards; even when in-store cameras caught him in the act he still steadfastly denied he'd taken the merchandise.
"I'd like to beat his butt," she said with a few expletives. At 16 years old, forget that as a remedy.
"I wish security had arrested him and he could have cooled his heels in juvenile hall," she soon determined.
Nothing like juvenile hall to learn new tricks and run into old "homies" who aren't on the street anymore.
Ah, Nebraska. It's a long drive but could it be an answer for the miscreants in households all across America.
A parent from Council Bluffs, Iowa, drove across the state line to deposit her 14-year-old girl at a safe haven site in Nebraska. Apparently it was the state legislature that forgot to include a residency requirement.
Unfortunately for all of us who house belligerent, miscreants with raging hormones, the Nebraska lawmakers closed the loopholes last week and will only be accepting infants. No children allowed.
Oh, yeah, I did say many of those who dropped off their children weren't necessarily awful parents and now let me add this to the story - many of us who'd like to drop ours off somewhere aren't awful, either.
Parents need help.
This blog can be found in our columns section where you can print a copy or e-mail to someone
Tune-in Wednesdays Noon to 1:00 p.m. Talk Abut Parenting LIVE Call-in. Check our calendar listing 
| |
| |
Comment
| | 1. | So true.. Other than Nebraska, where does one turn? Apparently, resources are not easily found.
We all need help in dealing with the epidemic, but where to go, where is the help available?
- by phxsays, 11-24-2008, 12:41 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
