Lawmakers may revise 'safe-haven' law in Neb.

OMAHA, Neb. -- When Nebraska lawmakers passed a "safe-haven" law that allowed parents to abandon children as old as 18, they never seriously thought such drop-offs would become common.

But their worst fears have come true: At least 16 children, some of them teenagers, have been abandoned since the law took effect in July. Now elected officials are considering revising the law, and at least one anguished parent said he only surrendered his kids because he felt he had no choice.

"If we see another family being left off, then we're going to have to do something immediately," said state Sen. Arnie Stuthman, who introduced legislation that was the basis for the law.

Stuthman said lawmakers need to set a maximum age for children who can be handed over to the state, and he's not sure whether it can wait until the legislature reconvenes in January. But it's not clear whether Gov. Dave Heineman will call a special session to modify the law, even though he has said it should be changed.

For now, the law permits caregivers to abandon children at state-certified hospitals without fear of prosecution. It was intended to protect infants, but was amended to include the word "child," which isn't defined.

So some have concluded the law covers all minors, which in Nebraska includes anyone under the age of 19.