“If it’s between a trash can and a fire station, I hope that they choose the fire station,” said Pam Allen.
Pam Allen with Eagle’s Flight Advocacy and Outreach says with the recent burial of Baby Mary and two other babies abandoned, she realized much more work needs to be done spreading the word about the Safe Haven Law, also known as the Baby Moses Law.
“No prosecution, no questions asked,” said Allen.
The Baby Moses Law was created in 1999. The law protects new mothers if they feel like they can’t care for their newborns, 60 days or less.
“They can safely surrender this child to a fire station, a clinic, a hospital, any facility that has the safe site logo,” said Allen.
Allen has worked to educate the public about the law with the creation of a PSA, now she is re-releasing it.
Three abandoned babies here in San Antonio, in the last three months, has her once again pushing to educate the community.
“There is a whole generation of young people, who don’t even understand, what that law even means,” said Allen.
In November, San Antonio police say a homeless woman gave birth in the woods near Salado Creek and left the baby to smoke a cigarette at a bar, the baby survived.
In December, a woman gave birth to a 28-30 week old baby and tried to flush her down the toilet. Sadly, the baby died.
Just this week, police say a baby was found abandoned off North Cherry Street and Nolan Avenue.
“The other component to this new wave is getting our brochures out to the clinics, and to the homeless shelters, and then getting some little push cards with phone numbers for our homeless community,” said Allen.
Allen has also worked with the city to install Safe Haven Baby Boxes, where a baby can be left and within three minutes the baby will have medical personnel attending to them.
Funds have been set aside for the baby boxes, but Allen says some things still need to be worked out with the contract for installation.
“It’s a contract that our city attorneys are just not very comfortable with at this time,” said Allen.
Allen says she expects those boxes to be installed very soon, and we’re going to see those safety devices in action. Allen also says they will be placed in strategic areas, like downtown.
On Friday, Allen laid to rest “Baby Mary” born at the Whataburger. This is the 65th child that Eagle’s Flight has buried.
Allen says while the community came together to give Mary a proper burial, she’s hoping for a future where she won’t have to plan the heartbreaking funerals.
“If it’s between a trash can and a fire station, I hope that they choose the fire station,” said Allen.