Safe Infants Act Protects Children, Parents

A 2001 law could have prevented the arrest of a Paducah teen and the death of her baby. The Safe Infants Act allows parents of newborns less than 72 hours old to drop the child off anonymously without consequences. Police departments, fire departments and hospitals are will all accept anonymous drop-offs. The law protects parents from legal repercussions as long as the child shows no signs of abuse. Parents have 30 days to change their minds before the child is put under permanent state custody. Kentucky state child safety manager Lisa Durbin says more than 20 babies have been safely surrendered in the 11 years the law has been in effect.