Guest Author - Sunniej Jackson

I have read too many newspaper stories over the past several months regarding finding newborn babies being found in trash cans and dumpsters. Most recently in Central Florida a newborn full term baby’s body was found mixed in with rocks that were getting ready to be ground. It was speculated that the baby was transported in one of the many trucks that came in from all over Central Florida to dump in this centralized location.

I know that sometimes we can get into situations where we feel we have nowhere to turn or no one to turn to for help or assistance. I know that life can become overwhelming at times and that some people cannot withstand the pressure. It is very sad, however, that we can get to the point where we throw a defenseless human being in the trash after giving live birth. I can’t imagine carrying a baby inside of me for nine long months and being so distraught with life that I throw my child away. I can’t begin to comprehend the level of unbearable burden an individual must be in to do something like this. I can’t imagine the state of mind a person would have to be in or what emotions must follow an act such as this or how haunting it must be after such a deed is done.

Unwanted pregnancies happen all too often and we know there are a number of options from abortion to adoption depending on your particular beliefs and moral fiber. The mother is most often left with the decision and sometimes wait too long to make the decision and is not counseled on viable options. I am hearing more and more stories of hidden pregnancies and delivery of babies in bathrooms and mothers making spur of the moment decisions of killing the baby and hiding the copse in a multitude of places including public bathroom trash cans.

We have to spread the word that there are safe and legal options to throwing away a human being as trash. In the State of Florida a newborn infant under three days old and with no signs of abuse can be left anonymously at any fire station or hospital without any legal ramification or questions asked. I’m sure that if the information was readily available or widely known there would be less babies found abandoned.

Please familiarize yourself with your state laws regarding legal and safe child abandonment and freely share this information with your friends, family and associates. This information could ultimately save a life.