Police tell NIT the on July 19 at about 10:26 PM, Mason City Fire Department employees reported a female had just dropped off her 1-year-old old boy at the fire station, located at 350 5th Street SW. The mother said she could no longer care for the child. Fire Dept employees called police and officers went down and took the boy to the police department. Department of Human Services (DHS) was called to investigate and find temporary placement for the child. Officers watched the boy for a few hours until placement was found.
No charges are expected to be filed, police say. The mother is a young woman who lives in Mason City.
“The boy was appeared healthy and well taken care of,” a police spokesman says. “This is the first incident of this type with a 1 yr old child being dropped off at the fire dept that we are aware of in our area.”
According to DHS, the Safe Haven Act is a law that allows parents – or another person who has the parent’s authorization – to leave an infant up to 14 days old at a hospital or health care facility without fear of prosecution for abandonment. At least 20 children have been declared safe havens since the Iowa law was enacted in 2002.
The matter will be up to the courts now to determine custody and / or long-term placement of the child in this matter.
Bullshit she should be charged, she’s a flippin adult and it’s abandonment!! Makes me sick to my stomach!! Shs need to rot in prison! Don’t open your legs if you can’t care for a helpless human being!! And hear she’s planning on having another?! Smdh some ppl shouldn’t reproduce!!!!
She should have thought about this before having a unwanted child. Shame on her.
I highly commend this mother! To know that you are unable to provide for your child is the first heartache for the mother to confront. Then to decide where the child would have the best care is the second. Then thirdly to place your child into the arms of a stranger, turn and walk away is the most gut wrenching. I pray that the mother is comforted by knowing that she did the right thing and that the baby is taken by a loving, caring home
Well said and I commend the mother. Praying the child finds happiness in a loving family.