CLAY COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)– A tragic incident in Clay County has emergency medical professionals reminding parents that there are options.
Kentucky has the ‘Safe Infants Act’, which allows mothers to turn over an unwanted newborn anonymously without consequences.
But there are some requirements when it comes to where and when a baby can be dropped off.
“They need to leave them with a police officer, an emergency medical personnel, firefighters, hospital staff, and there are some limited places of worship that do participate in the program and have signage that tell you that you can leave the child there.”
The law requires the baby be left with a person, and not just on a doorstep within 30 days of birth.
As long as the baby has not been abused, the mother will not face arrest or prosecution.
The child will be examined and given medical treatment– if necessary– then placed with child protective services.
