October 20, 2008

Nebraska backtracks from its "safe haven" law that had parent abandoning not just babies, but older kids.

You'll have to drop off the kid in its first 3 days. The government is happy to accept your cute little adoptable babies, but you're going to need to take responsibility for those babies you've gone and transformed into brats that you can't stand to keep around anymore.
Since it became law in Nebraska, at least 18 children aged between 22 months and 17 years have been abandoned, including two cases where parents drove from Iowa and Michigan just to drop their children off.

The changes are due to come into effect from next January.
Not until January, eh? Well, then, it's not too late to pile into the van. You know how to get to I-80?

24 comments:

Expat(ish) said...

So, 16 kids out of a population of 1.7M. Hmmm, figure that half those folks are childbearing, carry the one, inverse log of the fixed rate variable carburator, hmmm.

Turns out this is a silly small problem to optimize for.

And, frankly, given the silly stuff both candidates want to waste our money on, this seems like a good place to spend a few dollars. Any parent that doesn't really want the kid that much *should* have an option.

-XC

Host with the Most said...

Expect more abandoned kids, more unwed teenage mothers, and an increased abortion rate under Pelosi - Obama.

Take it to the bank.

Heck even Joe Biden reads me. Did you see what he said today about Obama being tested?

He read me on Althouse 2 days ago.

But, as Joe always does - he got the solution wrong.

rhhardin said...

My parents mentioned reform school a lot. Not that I know anybody anywhere who was actually sent.

Chip Ahoy said...

I read that -- law of unintended consequences.

"Pile in little darlings, let's go get some ice cream."

Speaking of abandoning children, that alphabet pop-up book blogged about a few months back came in the mail today from pre-order. It's brilliant. Except for "Z," which is a cop out. OK, I guess that wasn't related to laws about abandoning children, but the book is still brilliant.

Bissage said...

Parens patriae . . . but don't push it!

ricpic said...

And they couldn't see this coming?

All the brain power in Nebraska goes into Cornhusker mania. What's left goes to Lincoln.

Baron Zemo said...

They should just crush their skulls until their brains leak out of their ears and throw them in the garbage.

Just call it a really late term abortion.

Senator Obama will be all for it.

He has voted for it before you know.

Zachary Sire said...

I love your new sub headline, Ann.

Bruce Hayden said...

The obvious problem that they are trying to solve was exemplified by the mother last week driving partway across the country with her teenager to drop him off there at a hospital to get rid of him.

It was, of course, another example of the law of unintended consequences of trying to out-think the public when passing laws. The law was passed with noble sentiments, as most are. It was just gamed by the people, as laws are wont to be.

I would probably give new parents a week or so leeway, instead of just a couple of days. I like the theory behind the law, that it is far better to accept those unwanted kids for ultimate adoption, than killing them.

blake said...

How do you drop off a 17-year-old?

I mean, without them coming back? (After they've drained your credit card, that is.)

reader_iam said...

OT, but the 3-days time frame is really silly, if you're going to bother at all. This latest has the "virtue" of giving even less than lip-service to both sides of the argument, and nary a pat on the head to those most needing help.

Ann Althouse said...

Zachary Paul Sire said..."I love your new sub headline, Ann."

Ha ha. Everything old is new again.

Crimso said...

"The changes are due to come into effect from next January. Not until January, eh?"

So JAC and CAC aren't quite out of the woods yet...

Freeman Hunt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

How do you drop off a 17-year-old?

I mean, without them coming back? (After they've drained your credit card, that is.)


What idiot gives a 17-year-old access to a credit card?!

Wince said...

Forget Oliver Twist, Joe Dirt tells us what it's like to be abandoned by your parents. Dang!

Looking for parents...

Old Cajun Man: [In a muffled back water accent] Home is where you make it.

Joe Dirt: What?

Old Cajun Man: Home is where you make it.

Joe Dirt: You like to see homos naked?

Old Cajun man: Home is where you make it.

Joe Dirt: Oh.
[Walks away]

Joe Dirt: Guy likes to see homos naked, that doesn't help me.

Later...

Joe Dirt: I'm not talking about posi-trac, I'm talking about me. How long did you look for me before you gave up? How long were you riding in that car before you realized I wasn't in it?

Parents: All right. We didn't lose him. We just left him. So what? The dude's doing fine! Look at him!

Joe Dirt: How could you do that to me? I was only eight, just a little kid. Any idea what it's like to be a kid and have nobody around to talk to... no one that cares if you're alive or dead? Every day you think you're worthless and there's a void in your life.

Parents: Come on, honey. Lighten up. Lose that frown. When you're down, stare at a clown.

Ralph L said...

I think it's time for the courts to find a right to post-natal abortion emanating from a penumbra somewhere. It would certainly re-establish parental authority.

Host with the Most said...

ralph,

it's just a matter of time, my friend.

Just a matter of time.

reader_iam said...

Why discuss an idea or an issue or a policy when you can revel in political personality and partisan politics on other threads?

Sheehs. So obvious. Too obvious.

blake said...

What idiot gives a 17-year-old access to a credit card?!

Gives?

What self-respecting 17-year-old isn't 80% pickpocket?

KCFleming said...

The rule, like others before it, was meant to keep young women (mostly teenagers hiding a pregnancy) from killing their babies after birth. Such murders are still able to shock.

The unintended consequence of removing the consequences of pregnancy carried to term led to a devaluation of parental responsibility, already devalued in a society that encourages neglect, and calls it 'becoming independent'.

The law was written poorly, but only because the authors lacked imagination. Having hered to their heartland origins, they never conceived of the type of people who might do this.

The concluson some will draw from these cases will doubtless require that even more family duties be usurped by the state. Which sets the stage for the next "shocking" decline in filial piety.

Already you see the same outcomes at the end of life, as children abandon their frail elderly parents entirely to the State. Neglect institutionalized and sanctioned; nursing homes.

Thus spake socialism.

Larry J said...

Don't think of it as abandoning a teenager. Think of it as a non-violent form of retro-active abortion.

Synova said...

Perhaps I'm the only one who thinks this is a good thing... that parents ought to be able to give up "children" for adoption (or whatever) if it's done the "right" way and not get charged with abandonment or whatever.

Look... we're trying to support an extended and unnatural childhood on "children" that at any other time in history would be sent off to foster, apprentice, or work. No one feels like they ought to help out family anymore... take in a teen to help with small children, for example... and no teen feels like they ought to be expected to contribute anymore... and you can't really take in an unrelated kid, either. "Hey, Mr. Wimple... I'll sweep your store and clean the toilets if you'll let me sleep on a cot in the back, what do you say?"

My parents mentioned reform school a lot. Not that I know anybody anywhere who was actually sent.

I (briefly) worked at a Lutheran boarding school in Fargo. At least two of the girls in my dorm were definitely in that category... which blew my mind. If their parents couldn't keep them out of trouble, two college students who were usually at school *could*? Wha? Like there's not trouble to get into in Fargo?

Synova said...

And I ought to say that I *do* know quite a few situations where a teenager *does* go to live with relatives because Mom and Dad can't take it anymore.

It's not that uncommon, but you still have to have a Grandma or someone willing to do it.