Louisiana's Safe Haven Law (2009)
Louisiana: The State We're In
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Newsmagazine
Place Covered: Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2009-02-20
Duration: 00:06:18
Subjects: Safe Haven Law | Louisiana. Department of Social Services | Nichols, Kristy | Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana | Newborn infants | Unintended pregnancy
Contributors:
- Sanford, Shauna Producer
- Woods, Virnado Photographer
- Woods, Virnado Editor
- Nichols, Kristy Interviewee
- Fogle, Anna Interviewee
- Whinham, Charlie Host
Description
This segment from the February 20, 2009, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Shauna Sanford’s report on the Department of Social Services’ (DSS) awareness campaign for the state’s safe haven law, following the tragic incident of a mother throwing her unwanted baby into Lake Pontchartrain. Sanford interviews DSS Secretary Kristy Nichols about the safe haven law, which allows new parents to drop off their newborns who are less than 31 days old at a state designated safe haven site, such as a hospital or fire station, with no fear of prosecution for giving up their parental rights. Sanford also talks to Anna Fogle of Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana, a partner with DSS in the awareness campaign, about the Safe Haven Law and the available counseling options for women with unwanted pregnancies. Host: Charlie Whinham