The Baby Moses Project was established to address an alarming increase in newborns being abandoned in perilous places. In 1999, a national spotlight was focused on a problem that deserves the attention of all those who are concerned for the well being of the most vulnerable in our society. Everyday countless women around the world face the reality of an unplanned pregnancy. It is unfortunate, but it may never be known exactly how many newborns are abandoned every year. In a 1998 study, 108 newborns were reported abandoned and of those, 33 died.

On June 6, 1999, then Governor George W. Bush signed the country's first newborn abandonment bill into law know as “Baby Moses”. The Baby Moses Law states that a parent may leave an unharmed infant, up to 60 days old, at any 24-hour emergency infant care provider with no questions asked and no penalty to the parent. This law not only protects the life of the infant but also provides a responsible alternative for the desperate parent. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County has taken the responsibility of educating the community of this law by providing “Safe Baby Site” signs to all designated emergency infant care providers.

 In Smith County, emergency rooms at both East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System and Trinity Mother Francis Hospitals & Clinics, as well as the ten 24-hour fire stations are all designated “Safe Baby Sites” with trained personnel to receive hand-delivered infants.

The mission of each Safe Baby Site is to medically stabilize the infant , offer mother medical treatment and voluntary medical disclosure forms. Each site must contact the Department of Family and Protective Services Child Protective Services to assume custody of the infant and place for adoption.

For information on how you can support the Baby Moses Project in Smith County, contact Brenda@cacsmithcounty.org.

You can also visit www.babymosesproject.org to learn more.