Reply #16: Here is the baby that was saved.

[JayS]

June 10, 2004, 6:22AM
Search for baby's mother runs into legal quandary
By MELANIE MARKLEY
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/2619411

Children's Protective Services officials say they want to find the mother of an abandoned newborn to make sure the parents want to give up custody so a waiting family can adopt the girl.

But the author of a law designed to shield parents from prosecution if they leave their unwanted baby at a hospital or fire station is worried. She fears CPS will have a chilling effect on people using the law if the agency tries to track down the identity of a mother who doesn't want to be found.

"My concern is that these mothers are in a desperate situation for whatever reason, and they've hidden their pregnancy and had the baby on their own," said state Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria. "I think probably the last thing they want is for someone to try to track them down to find out who they are because they wouldn't be using this law if they were going to use the normal form of relinquishment or adoption."

Wednesday, CPS officials invited the media to publicize the photograph of a recently abandoned baby in hopes the family will come forward and provide information. The girl was left over the weekend at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital.

*SNIP*