Days after a Santa Barbara woman was arrested for allegedly dumping her newborn baby in a trash can, officials in the district attorney’s office moved to remind residents that laws are in place that allow women, or a legal guardian, to surrender a child without fear of prosecution.
“Mothers need to know their options when making life or death decisions about their newborns,” said Gordon Auchincloss, Santa Barbara County’s assistant district attorney.
The Safely Surrendered Baby Law, which went into effect in 2001, allows a mother, or person with lawful custody, to surrender an unwanted baby three days old or younger at any hospital in Santa Barbara County.
“Under the Safely surrendered Baby Law, a mother can bring her newborn to a hospital and know, first and foremost, that her baby will be cared for, and second, that she can do so confidentially, legally and without fear of criminal prosecution,” Auchincloss said.
At the hospital, a parent is not required to give a name when surrender a baby within three days of birth, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office. However, once surrendered, a bracelet is given to the mother and child, which allows a mother who has second thoughts, to return within 14 days to reclaim the child.
Since 2008, 251 babies have been safely surrendered in California, the news release said.
A rubbish collector in Redondo Beach discovered the body of a newborn baby girl on Wednesday morning.
According to police, 24-year-old Jessie Lauren Canfield, of Santa Barbara, admitted to giving birth to the child last weekend while at a party. Authorities did not know if the baby was alive when she was discarded. An autopsy was being conducted to determine a cause of death.
Canfield was arrested in Santa Barbara on Wednesday on suspicion of murder. She was due in court yesterday, but according to a spokesperson in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the case was returned to authorities for further investigation.
Because no charges have been field, some media outlets reported that Canfield was freed from jail, though this couldn’t be confirmed.
“Our hope is that in our county we can continue to raise awareness of the Baby Safe Law and the resources available to individuals in crisis so that we can prevent tragedies like this from happening again,” said Pat Wheatley, executive director of First 5 Santa Barbara County.
Information about local resources and crisis support can be accessed by calling 211. Additional information on the Safely Surrendered Baby Law is available at www.babysafe.ca.gov.
Another white criminal? : 3/6/2010
WOW!!! I thought only immigrants commit crimes...
Latino Activista [Protecting immigrants since 2007]
RE: Another white criminal? : 3/6/2010
Jose or Maria,
You're right! You would never hear of a mexican woman doing this. After all, if they haven't already committed a crime by entering the country illegally, chances are they have already been impregnated and intend to cross ASAP to ensure their anchor babies gets all the proper entitlements they want such as free medical care, food stamps, welfare checks, free education (at the expense of english speaking children whose parent's immigration status isn't ILLEGAL) This is the reason why our state is bankrupt and the education system is a failure and this is why, right or wrong, that people resent the latino community around here...not to mention that "all brown" gang problem we have. I don't know if you were aware of that. So go put on that Che shirt and shout Viva La Revolution at the top of your lungs. But please make sure it's in espanol so we can all tune it out, amateur.
Me
: 3/6/2010
Illegal immigrant= shouldn't be here in the first place, so why do we feed them?
Carl
Unbelievable : 3/6/2010
A human being is dead and you folks want to snipe at each other about the "immigrant problem."
just sayin'
Re: Unbelievable : 3/6/2010
Tell me without looking how many young soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan last month? I bet you can't.
Me
WE NEED IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW! : 3/6/2010
As you can see... nazis are full of anger, they hate mexicans, did you know there are europeans and canadians who are staying in this country "ILLEGALY"? But they are white, they are not discriminated though...why?
What we need to do is legalize all those illegals and protect them from these nazi-nuts.
My nazi friend, not ALL MEXICANS are illegals, and not ALL ILLEGALS are mexicans, so next time when you talk about "illegals" try to hide you racism a little bit okay old man?
IMMIGRANTS COME HERE TO WORK, nazis are full of anger and hate, what is worst?
My tax money is taken anyway, I don't know where that money is going... maybe to build a missile that will problably kill hundreds of innocents god daxxxt, i don't know! and I don't care! I HAVE TO PAY TAXES EVERY SINGLE YEAR OR I GET PENALIZED!
Hey nazi friend, you should get some counseling GET SOME HELP!
HATE IS A DISEASE and you are full of it!
VOTE DEMOCRAT!
missing the point : 3/7/2010
the point of this article is not illegal immigrants, its about young women who are in rage, killing their poor innocent babies!!!
and it's probably because of hate filled Latinos and Nazis. people ....get over your stupid selfish issues and look at the way you are raising your children...these Latino gangsters and the illegal immigrant hating racists are all a reflection of YOU!!! they are your children growing up watching YOU act like a bunch of idiots..... be better models for your children so they don't grow up resenting each other and taking it out on their children....for God's sake....work on yourselves before pointing fingers at others....
as far as illegal Mexicans in america, look at your nations history first before hating people who were killed and forcefully kicked out of their own land.....besides, where did the Nazis come here from!!! i dont remember this lands forefathers to be white blue eyed Brits...they just happened to come here ILLEGALLY and claimed their status through the blood of others!!! i'm not Latino or white, i do have legal status... .... my main concern is my child....yours should be too....don't let them watch you like this...you should be ashamed for your behaviors.
"Betty"
Great job vote democrat : 3/7/2010
That redneck got owned!
Peacemaker
Re: Redneck : 3/7/2010
Oh that's right, I am the nazi...after all I voted for Ron Paul who supports withdrawing ALL troops overseas ASAP and ending the federal reserve and scaling back the power and control of the federal government in favor of state's right. I am against the death penalty and in favor of marijuana legalization. I also am in favor of gay marriage...while I am however PRO-LIFE...you know....the position that life is SACRED and no one has the right to take....but you know you did vote for Obama, you know the guy who is escalating the war by sending 30,000 MORE troops to Afghanistan...so yeah....whos the nazi??
Me
I can't afford Fillet Minot everynight...does that mean I hate steak? : 3/7/2010
I do not hate mexicans...i hate this:
"In hosting America's largest population of illegal immigrants, California bears a huge cost to provide basic human services for this fast growing, low-income segment of its population. A new study from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) examines the costs of education, health care and incarceration of illegal aliens, and concludes that the costs to Californians is $10.5 billion per year.
Among the key finding of the report are that the state's already struggling K-12 education system spends approximately $7.7 billion a year to school the children of illegal aliens who now constitute 15 percent of the student body. Another $1.4 billion of the taxpayers' money goes toward providing health care to illegal aliens and their families, the same amount that is spent incarcerating illegal aliens criminals."
Explain to me why we, the American taxpayers should pay for this out of our own pocket when we can't afford it and it's crushing our economy, healthcare system and education?? Why am I wrong for that?? Makes no sense to me. Are most mexicans good people? YES. Do I feel for these people? Some of them yes. But there are far too many people who abuse the system and break the law...and here's the kicker....they should not be here!!! The very second they step on American soil they have already broken the law....Geez....I have to sign in my name when I go to hotel for goodness sake....
Me
The nazi changed the tone now : 3/7/2010
Well, it will take more than 230 billion of dollars to have all these illegal immigrants deported, second, besides the cost, why would I want to see FAMILIES destroyed? Children are the main concern, should we also deport all of them next to their parents? Third, Look at China and their huge workforce, what are they teaching us? And finally, immigration reform is the best solution we got, these illegal immigrants are willing to pay thousands of dollars to get/stay here, they are not terrorists, they are a workforce, they buy American products, they contribute.
We all pay taxes no matter what! is up to the government to manage that money, not you my racist friend! Remember we are talking about HUMANS, FAMILIES, not robots or animals! Either way WE ALL pay consequenses no matter if illegals stay or are sent back, but I rather have my taxes send to a needed family and NOT to destroy a family I don't even know. Who wants to have their families torn apart?
Immigration Reform is needed now!
: 3/7/2010
I vote for "Me". There is no other argument.
Sieg Heil! : 3/7/2010
I actually do understand where the mexican people are coming from wanting to be over here. I totally get it. I put 90% of the blame on the federal government for failing to deal with the border crisis. I do not want to see families broken up but the immigration problem is hurting everyone..and the government's duty is to be servant to the AMERICAN people. I wish the gov would give them 1 year to come out of hiding without risk of deportation....we need to know who's in our country and then deal with it from there. After that 1 year if you have failed to report, then you get deported. Solution?
Me
It is true it would cost more than 200B : 3/7/2010
thinkprogress . org
Anyone can show me a different result? That redneck is in fact a RACIST REDNECK, let us think... we as tax payers decide... spend 10B a year for keeping them here or more 200B to have them all deport?
Where are those republican websites? maybe they show different statistics.
HEY REDNECK where you are pulling out those numbers, from you axx maybe?
Legalization is the answer! There is no other argument.
thinkprogress.org
I am so racist!!! : 3/7/2010
Yes I sound very racist/prejudice from the posts. I want to end the death penalty, which FAR more unfairly affects minorities, especially blacks. I also want to bring the troops home, which we all know poors and minorities take the brunt of that load. I also would me more than happy if gays could marry. (We all know that racist ironically LOVE gay people)
You see son, I am in my mid 20's, been out here for 4 years. Moved out here after I got out of the air force. I am from the south and some of my dearest friends are black. Lol
Racist, Bigot, Zealot!!! Yada yada it is so tired!
Me
: 3/7/2010
I tell you a democrat I actually respect... Dennis Kucinich. I don't agree with him on some things but he's the real deal. A civil servant. You need to get rid of the Pelosi's, Reid's, Boxer's, Blago's, Rangel's Patterson's, Edward's, Maxine Waters, etc..that are effing up this country. Don't act like it's just the Repubs that do all the bad things....
Me
Re: Think Progress : 3/7/2010
Where did I get the numbers?? Did you READ my post?
"A new study from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) examines the costs of education, health care and incarceration of illegal aliens, and concludes that the costs to Californians is $10.5 billion per year."
"A new study from the Federation for American Immigration Record (FAIR)"
Me
Problem solved : 3/7/2010
How expensive can 11 million greyhound bus tickets to Mexico be?? Bill Mexico!
Consuela
Me and activista : 3/7/2010
you both suck, just kill each other and get it over with...sheesh!
1st LT
Consuela? Are you high or are you joking? : 3/7/2010
Hold your stupidity to youself, I wanna read some facts ok SMART A...
I like your solution "ME" one year is more than enough...
Diego Tequilero
Are you serious? : 3/8/2010
Seriously folks... We are dealing with a newborn here, In my opinion there is NO excuse for this action... Regardless of the situation, throwing away her baby like that is just horrible, even if she "didn't know" she was pregnant, she should have called or even gone for help (the party was a couple blocks from a police and fire department)! I would have never thought that someone that I had gone to school with would have disposed of a baby the way she did!
Oh by the way, what does immigration status have to do with this?!? Go and discuss immigration on another page!!!
Illegals paying taxes = Social Security identity theft : 3/8/2010
Regarding the poster who thinks all the illegals working here is great and they deserve it, I hope it crosses everybody's mind that to work here as an illegal and pay taxes–an argument used to defend illegals because this means they are "contributing"– I hope people realize that an illegal who has taxes withheld means they are using a STOLEN SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND ENGAGING IN IDENTITY THEFT.
every article : 3/8/2010
Why does it always come down to illegals? whether they are to blame or not it never fails. someone always love to stir things up by bringing up stuff that doesnt have to do with the article.
I know you do it cuz you're bored
^^^^^^ : 3/8/2010
LOL soooo true
Z483Y
Infanticide occurs across all cultures, unfortunately.... : 3/8/2010
Look at China. 50 million baby girls are "missing". This is a fact. (Wikipedia, Female infanticide) You cannot start harping on illegal immigrants who are simply trying to survive and improve their lives. They are a vital part of our economy, agriculture, and without them nobody could do business because Americans don't like to pay taxes...let's be honest about this. And Mexicans come here for the same reason our ancestors came to America too. For a better life. Also, this was the Mexicans' continent. You cannot deny this fact. We share the benefits and the burdens of their presence here. Co-exist. Is that so hard? And let's make life better for the babies. That's what this article was about.
Louise
Re: Every article : 3/8/2010
Well, actually if you look at the comments it wasn't "blame-the-illegals" crowd that started in on it... Look at the very first post:
"Another white criminal? : 3/6/2010
WOW!!! I thought only immigrants commit crimes...
Latino Activista [Protecting immigrants since 2007]"
Huh?
illegals : 3/8/2010
what if mexico wasn't our border country what if it was another country of proverty will u think the same ?
: 3/8/2010
Canada is not a third world nation. Civilized people there. Ever read about any problems from the north? No....... And frankly, I'd want us, as a nation, to help any third world country bordering our country, but not in a way that decimated our own country. And the flagrant hostile, racist attitudes coming from Mexicans that don't want to assimilate but instead talk about "taking over"? What's that about? How is that a way to treat a country that has become your place of asylum?
a country that has become your place of asylum? : 3/9/2010
Yeah right... millions of illegals are treated like crap, that have no driver licenses, no social, they live in the shadows, they live where all the criminals are hidding, do all type of work to get money... etc etc etc.
I don't what I would do... going back to another s-hole?
You call that "asylum"?
Carmen Mancias
: 3/10/2010
Yeah, well, if I entered a country illegally I would expect the same thing. You think this white chick from a developed country (USA) could just pick up and move to Australia or any other country and get a driver's license, social security card, etc.? Noooooo...........
re: another white crime : 5/4/2010
America could clear and rid itself of pregnant immigrants if we wrote our laws to read: WHATEVER COUNTRY THE MOTHER IS FROM .....THAT BABY IS ALSO A CITIZEN OF HER COUNTRY...NO PERKS OR BENEFITS HERE...GUESS WHAT???? SHIP THEM BOTH BACK AND THEY WILL QUIT COMING
PROUD TO BE A NATIVE BORN AMERICAN
411 E. Canon Perdido, Ste 2
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone (805) 564-6001
Fax (866) 716-8350
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