| Child abandonment is a complex and difficult issue. In | | | | be a voluntary step by a parent who wishes to give |
| many cases, child abandonment falls under the | | | | up all legal rights and responsibilities of the child and |
| heading of child abuse, while in other cases, states | | | | no longer wishes to be involved in the child's life. |
| have created solutions for parents who no longer | | | | Safe Havens |
| feel they can care for their own children. Each state | | | | Many states have designated "safe havens," safe |
| has its own laws concerning child abandonment, the | | | | areas in which a parent may leave an infant child, |
| rights of a parent to give up their newborn, and the | | | | often anonymously, when the parent feels that he or |
| termination of parental rights. | | | | she cannot take care of the baby. These safe |
| Child Abandonment Laws | | | | havens were created by states in an effort to |
| Different states have different laws regarding child | | | | reduce the rates of infant homicide, giving parents in |
| abandonment. In some states, the action is not | | | | crisis the option giving up their child to a safe home |
| considered a crime, while in others, it is punished | | | | rather than leaving it to die. Safe havens are usually |
| severely. For example, North Carolina state law says | | | | located at hospitals, police stations, and other public |
| that any person who abandons his or her child for at | | | | safety areas. If a person is given a child at a safe |
| least six months will face felony charges. The state | | | | haven location, the person is required to immediately |
| categorizes abandonment as: | | | | contact Child Protective Services to ensure that the |
| - Failing to or refusing to provide adequate support | | | | infant finds a new home. |
| for the child | | | | North Carolina's Infant Homicide Prevention Act is a |
| - Attempts to conceal whereabouts from the child | | | | similar law that allows a parent to give his or her |
| with the intent of escaping parental obligations | | | | newborn child to any other responsible adult. The act, |
| However, if a parent decides that he or she is not | | | | nicknamed the Safe Surrender Law, allows the parent |
| able to take care of the child or no longer wishes to | | | | may remain anonymous and does not have to fear |
| be associated with the child in any way, different | | | | legal punishment for his or her actions. The |
| options exist. | | | | responsible adult is then required to contact Child |
| Termination of Parental Rights | | | | Protective Services to help place the child in a loving |
| A court can terminate a parent's rights to the | | | | home. |
| custody and guardianship of their child. This often | | | | To learn more about child abandonment, abuse, or |
| occurs after cases of child abuse when the court | | | | other issues, visit the website of the Raleigh child |
| deems the parent unfit to care for the child. | | | | custody lawyers of Marshall & Taylor, P.C. |
| However, the termination of parental rights can also | | | | |