Nebraska was the last U.S. state to pass a law allowing parents or caretakers to abandon children to state custody by dropping them off at certain designated places. However, the Nebraska law refers to "child" instead of "newborn."
Consequently, some parents have dropped off teenagers, many of whom are violent or out of control. Some parents and caretakers have come to Nebraska from other states, including Iowa and Michigan, to turn over their children. One single parent abandoned nine children under age 18.
The Nebraska situation has prompted a debate about the adequacy of services that are available to stressed-out families and troubled teens.
Labels: safe_haven, parents, abandonment
Posted By: Aspen Education Group