Lexington, SC (WLTX) -- On Wednesday, August 20th, an infant boy was brought to Lexington Medical Center-Urgent Care, and placed under the protection of Safe Haven staff.
The baby boy was reportedly born at home on August 19th, weighs 7 pounds, and is a healthy Caucasian male called "Baby Boy Doe." He is now in DSS custody.
According to the Safe Haven For Abandoned Infants Act, also known as "Daniel's Law," a pregnant woman has an alternative to abandoning a newborn in potentially fatal situations, by leaving the infant with a designated Safe Haven.
An infant 30-days old or younger and unharmed can be left with a hospital or hospital outpatient facility, law enforcement agency, fire station, emergency medical services station, or any staffed house of worship (during the regular hours for that.)
There is immunity from prosecution for the parent or other person acting for the parent, if the infant is up to thirty days old, and unharmed. The parent, or person leaving the infant, will be asked for medical history information about the baby's parents, and if possible (but not required) the identity of the parents.
As a part of the Safe Haven Act, a permanency hearing will be held at the Lexington County Family Court on Wednesday, October 15th at 2:00PM, and at this time, any person wishing to assert parental rights regarding Baby Boy Doe, must do so at this hearing.
Prior to August 20th, the last time an infant was left under Daniel's Law was a baby left at a hospital in Greenwood County on June 15th.
Did you know: South Carolina's DSS currently has 339 children awaiting adoption?
To adopt, you don't have to be rich or a brain surgeon? You just have to take the first step.
Get started by visiting the DSS page on Adoption in South Carolina, here. (http://1.usa.gov/1qxLKJ5)
