Ohio law aimed at preventing child abuse - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Ohio law aimed at preventing child abuse

Posted: Updated:
13abc.com Lissa Guyton - email

The Lucas County Prosecutor is on a mission to protect the littlest victims of crime. Prosecutor Julia Bates says her office wants to focus on protection not prosecution when it comes to child abuse cases. She says there is a simple way to do that.

It's called the Safe Haven for Newborns law and it's nothing new, but Prosecutor Bates wants to remind people about it and how it works. The law has been on the books here in Ohio since 2001 and Bates' office is working to make sure the law continues to help save lives in our community.

Lynn Carder heads up the Toledo-Lucas County Victim Witness Assistance Program, "It's hard to fathom how someone could take the life of their own child. Whether it is through desperation, a feeling of being overwhelmed, financial stress, it is hard to imagine what cause people to take the actions they do. Obviously, they are in great distress but we have a solution to it."

The solution is the Safe Haven for Newborns law. Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates wants to remind people about it,"You think why did this have to happen? And the message is that it doesn't have to happen ever again, ever. If we can make a difference in the future in the life of one child, in the life of one mother we surely better do that."

Here's how it works, parents can drop off any baby up to a month old at several locations with no risk of prosecution, "A hospital, a fire station, a police station and simply surrender the baby, no questions asked. You can have complete immunity and anonymity as long as the child is unharmed it is just that simple."

The reason for reminding people about the law is simple for prosecutors. Lindsay Navarre is a prosecuting attorney,"Our office never wants to prosecute another one of these cases. I applaud Prosecutor Bates for taking such a tragedy, such a horrible case and trying to turn it into something good and educate people about the Safe Haven for Newborns law so another baby doesn't die."

There is a Safe Haven Hotline in Toledo. The calls are answered around the clock, every day of the year. The number is 419-265-BABY, that's 419-265- 2229. They can answer any question you may have about the program. There have been babies surrendered here in Lucas county under the safe haven law.

@

@

 

  • Local

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:04 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:04:48 GMT
    A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
    A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:00 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:00:32 GMT
    A Findlay City Council member is accused of stealing about $13 worth of vitamins from Walmart.  Daniel K.C. Collette was arrested on a charge of petty theft. Walmart's loss prevention officer noticed
    A Findlay City Council member is accused of stealing about $13 worth of vitamins from Walmart. Daniel K.C. Collette was arrested on a charge of petty theft.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:56 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:56:21 GMT
    More jobs may be on the way at the old Jeep plant.  One company has announced it will open business there and others are now interested in the site. At one time, 40,000 people worked at the site just
    The 111-acre Overland Industrial park broke ground on a new road that will lead to construction of buildings to house new businesses.
    •   

  • Top Stories

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:59:40 GMT
    MOORE, Okla. (AP) - The fire chief in the Oklahoma City suburb raked by a massive tornado says the search for survivors and the dead is almost complete.    Fire Chief Gary Bird said Tuesday that he's "98
    The fire chief in the Oklahoma City suburb raked by a massive tornado says the search for survivors and the dead is almost complete.

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:12:43 GMT
    MOORE, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Moore, Okla., was a top-of-the-scale EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph.    Spokeswoman Keli Pirtle said Tuesday the
    The National Weather Service says the tornado that hit Moore, Okla., was a top-of-the-scale EF-5 twister with winds of at least 200 mph.

  • Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
    The search for survivors and the dead is nearly complete in the Oklahoma City suburb that was smashed by a mammoth tornado, the fire chief said Tuesday.
    •   

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!