HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2000.03.09 - 26123Miscellaneous Resolution # 00 057 _ _ _
BY: Commissioner Shelley Goodman Taub, District #12
Commissioner Michelle Friedman Appel, District #23
RE: Support — Anonymous Baby Drops
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, an estimated 57 infants are abandoned every day in the United States and in
southeast Michigan at least three abandoned babies have failed to survive in the last six months.
WHEREAS, the desperation of a panic-stricken young mother far too often results in the
double tragedy of the abandoned babies, and young mothers facing criminal indictment for their
actions because they felt they had no options; and
WHEREAS, as a society we must offer protection and options for those in dire need of help.
Many states and counties are enacting legislation that allows mothers to anonymously drop off their
newborn, or baby that is less than 30 days old, at hospitals, police precincts, with probation officers
or with the Family Independence Agency with no questions asked; and
WHEREAS, although legislation is being introduced in the Michigan Legislature supporting
this concept, and several county prosecutors have already established policies that grants immunity,
from criminal charges to mothers that give up their newborns to the proper authorities; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
does hereby support and urges the passage of State of Michigan legislation that would allow a
parent to leave an infant (30 days or younger) at a hospital or with the proper authorities without
facing criminal charges; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of Commissioners does
hereby request the Oakland County Prosecutor to explore the feasibility of establishing an
administrative policy to decriminalize child abandonment, under proper conditions, and to report their
findings and recommendations to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners' Public Services
Committee and General Government Committee; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of Commissioners does
hereby request that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Governor, all Michigan legislators,
the Michigan Association of Counties, the State Attorney General, and the Oakland County
legislative agents.
Mr. Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
Commission
/nctA.314 etA. Vtita)
Vt Sh ley Goodman Taub Commissioner Michelle Friedman Appel
District #12 District #23
Resolution #00057 March 9, 2000
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee
and the Public Services Committee. There were no objections.