I saw her huddled in the corner of the busy waiting room. She was dirty, and worn looking. I took a second glance as I realized she was holding a baby. She was with a boy who looked equally as lost. Two kids in a grown up world, themselves alone, with a secret. A blemished moment that now was sleeping in her arms. I walked to her. Is the baby sick? I looked to see if anybody else was with them. At first they both just stared at me. Trying to assess what they were suppose to do. Is it true that I can drop the baby off here? I was chilled as I looked at these two kids. It is. Come with me. I walked and they followed. I asked for a bedside registration and we went into a private room. Are you mom? By law, that is about the only question that I really have to get an answer. Safe Haven - This law was established because desperate people do desperate acts. We have all seen the news clips of babys being thrown in a trash dumpster, even a porta potty. Even death to a baby, found later in a shallow grave. Covered with a baby blanket with a hospital stamp in the corner of lambs and clouds. A mom who feels she cannot take the baby, can drop the child off at an Emergency Dept. or a Fire Station. We all went through the classes. The packet that has two bracelets. One small, one large. An attempt is made to get as much information as we can, but by law she doesnt even have to tell her name. By doing so, she can turn around without threat of commiting a crime, and the baby is safe. In my career I have been present for two drop offs. One of the two was handed to me. This mom could not have been over 15. Dad was not much older if any. I wondered if her parents knew this was happening. I put the bracelet on the babys leg, and the same number was on the moms arm bracelet. The law says that the mother can reclaim the infant within a specific time line. This girl would not give me any specifics, but that prenatal care had not been given, a friend had helped her deliver, and the cord had been cut and tied with a shoelace. She had given birth only a few hours earlier. The baby was examined and whisked away to a nursery, we offered the mom an exam and care, but she just tuerned and left. She didnt even look back. I swore I saw her wipe her eyes, but if it was pain or saddness I dont know. Both babies were reclaimed though far from the area that they started a day or so earlier. I cannot say what shape she was in when she reclaimed her prize. But I pray that is how she started to see it as. I have thought of that mom and baby from time to time. I wonder how it all worked out. I said a prayer for both of them. That the baby would grow to be a beautiful, well adjusted woman. And for that young mother. I gave thanks that in her moment of huge decisions, she chose a safe haven over a dumpster. That took guts. Every time I see a young mom with a little girl, I wonder...
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:16:21 +0000
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