Safe Haven - Know It, Live It

Yesterday, a newborn baby was found dead in a garbage truck in Milford. A garbage person discovered the body, and now police are trying to find the parents.

It can't be said enough that this tragedy could have been avoided. Massachusetts has a Safe Haven Law that "allows a parent to legally surrender newborn infants 7 days old or younger at a hospital, police station or manned fire station without facing criminal prosecution."

Bostonist has reminded readers before of the Safe Haven Law, and we'll do it again. We'll keep on doing it until these incidents stop. The Safe Haven Law means that parents won't be judged or punished if they can't keep their children, and they can get their newborns to a safe place, which is a far better alternative than the newborns dying and winding up in the garbage.

Plus, according to the Safe Haven Law, anyone receiving a newborn might ask questions, but the parent dropping off the child is under no obligation to answer them. A parent can leave the newborn no questions asked, and the child will be placed in a "DSS-approved foster pre-adoptive home." The full facts in the case aren't known, but it's always good to let the public know this law is out there to protect parents and their babies.