SAVE ABANDONED BABIES FOUNDATION, ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN

MARK SAFE HAVEN LAW MILESTONE

Chicago, IL, MAY 7, 2009—– The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation (SAB) and Attorney General Lisa Madigan today commemorated the success of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. Through this law, more than 50 newborn babies have been dropped at safe havens, protecting them from abandonment and danger. Through this law, more than 50 newborn babies have been turned in to safe havens, protecting them from abandonment and danger. As a result of this law, these children hare now in permanent, loving homes.

Dawn Geras, SAB spokesperson, Madigan and Chicago area firefighters attended the event to highlight the milestone in the safe haven law and to celebrate a beneficiary’s first birthday. In 2008, Baby Lilli’s biological mother legally turned over the newborn at a fire station. Today, joined by her parents Rich and Carrie, Baby Lilli is among the 51 infants rescued under the law.

“Protecting children is a shared, community responsibility,” said Geras. “Tragically, since the law was passed in 2001 there have still been 54 illegal abandonments. Even more tragic, 27 of those infants did not survive. We thank Rich and Carrie for sharing their st and the life-saving option it provides, more newborn infants will be saved.”

The state’s Safe Haven Law provides a safe and legal option to a parent who might otherwise abandon their newborn in a dumpster or other unsafe place. It allows a parent to relinquish their unharmed newborn to personnel at a designated “Safe Haven" location -  specifically a police station, fire station, hospital or emergency medical care facility, anonymously, and with no fear of prosecution for abandonment within seven days of the child’s birth.

Madigan and Geras urged support for an amendment sponsored by Sen. Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) and Rep. Beth Coulson (R-Glenview) that would extend the time a parent legally can surrender their unharmed newborn from seven to 30 days. Crisis counselors are available to provide safe haven law information 24 hours a day by calling 1-888-510-BABY (2229). More information is available at www.SaveAbandonedBabies.org.

The Save Abandoned Babies Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of newborn infants who might otherwise be unsafely abandoned in Illinois.