http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254 A 5-year-old boy last night became the 35th child dropped off in Nebraska as part of that state's safe-haven law. The wording in the law is vague and doesn't mention an age, only 'child.' Thus, 'children' as old as 17 have been abandoned by their parents or grandparents to be cared for by the state. In a few cases, the child didn't even know they were being abandoned. Lawmakers are meeting today in a special session to work on changing the law so it applies to infants only. Allowing young, scared, unprepared mothers to drop their newborns off at hospitals and fire stations is one thing. Dropping your teenage kid off because you can't be bothered to care for them anymore is something else entirely. A 5-year-old boy last night became the 35th child dropped off in Nebraska as part of that state's safe-haven law. The wording in the law is vague and doesn't mention an age, only 'child.' Thus, 'children' as old as 17 have been abandoned by their parents or grandparents to be cared for by the state. In a few cases, the child didn't even know they were being abandoned. Lawmakers are meeting today in a special session to work on changing the law so it applies to infants only. Allowing young, scared, unprepared mothers to drop their newborns off at hospitals and fire stations is one thing. Dropping your teenage kid off because you can't be bothered to care for them anymore is something else entirely. en-us Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:58:34 PST <p>If these children are unwanted and at risk for neglect and abuse, then why not allow them to be dropped off?&nbsp; The children, however old, probably need to be removed from their home anyways, and this is at least a non confrontational way for that to happen.&nbsp; If the children are old enough to speak, then it won't be anonymous, and the parents/guardians should have to relinquish their parental rights entirely.&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341645 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341645 <p>If these children are unwanted and at risk for neglect and abuse, then why not allow them to be dropped off?&nbsp; The children, however old, probably need to be removed from their home anyways, and this is at least a non confrontational way for that to happen.&nbsp; If the children are old enough to speak, then it won't be anonymous, and the parents/guardians should have to relinquish their parental rights entirely.&nbsp;</p> <p>I agree with pink. Children who are unwanted for whatever reason should not be forced to stay in a potentially abusive situation. However, I still cannot fathom how a parent could just get tired of being a parent and dump their child somewhere. But then, I can't even understand how someone could do it to their pets, so dumping their kids is even more unconcionable to me.</p> <p>I'd love to have a little boy; just send him on over.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341655 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341655 <p>I agree with pink. Children who are unwanted for whatever reason should not be forced to stay in a potentially abusive situation. However, I still cannot fathom how a parent could just get tired of being a parent and dump their child somewhere. But then, I can't even understand how someone could do it to their pets, so dumping their kids is even more unconcionable to me.</p> <p>I'd love to have a little boy; just send him on over.</p> <p>I&nbsp;agree with both ghostriter and pink. Heaven knows these children are better off. I can't begin to imagine the pain these teenage kids feel over having someone they love dump them off like that. I just don't understand what this world is coming to. I would think the powers that be in Nebraska would rather these kids be safe with them as opposed to the horrible alternative of finding them dead in their home while arresting the parents. It's just sad all the way around.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341677 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341677 <p>I&nbsp;agree with both ghostriter and pink. Heaven knows these children are better off. I can't begin to imagine the pain these teenage kids feel over having someone they love dump them off like that. I just don't understand what this world is coming to. I would think the powers that be in Nebraska would rather these kids be safe with them as opposed to the horrible alternative of finding them dead in their home while arresting the parents. It's just sad all the way around.</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">It is hard to understand why anyone would do this,but it might be more than just &quot;dumping them&quot;,money ,failing health are all possible reasons...</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">35 children is a indication that some parents are up against a wall,mentally or physically. Better dropped off than harmed.</span></p> <br /> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341707 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/talkofthetown/37254/#c_341707 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">It is hard to understand why anyone would do this,but it might be more than just &quot;dumping them&quot;,money ,failing health are all possible reasons...</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">35 children is a indication that some parents are up against a wall,mentally or physically. Better dropped off than harmed.</span></p> <br />