PITTSBURGH,None — A 1-day-old baby was left at a local hospital last week under the state's Safe Haven Law. Hospital officials said the mother was a patient at the hospital and left her baby so he or she could be adopted.
A Washington Hospital spokesperson said parents are allowed to leave newborns up to 28 days old at a hospital without being prosecuted as long as the baby is OK.
After the baby is dropped off, doctors examine them and Child and Youth Services begins looking for a home for them.
"It's to make sure the infants are safe, healthy and to provide medical care they may need at the time they are abandoned," said neonatal Dr. Giovanni Laneri.
Under the program, Laneri said no questions are asked as long as the baby is healthy. Some hospitals have a crib or a bassinet in a designated area for babies to be dropped off.
"Emergency room staff is well prepared to do this. In addition, if it is during the day they can certainly come into any of the main entrances of the hospital," Laneri said.
Since the law went into effect in 2003, 14 babies have been given to hospitals and then adopted, officials said.
Pennsylvania is one of 48 states that enforces the particular law.
WPXI
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