INDIANAPOLIS -- After an infant was found dead in an Indianapolis dumpster in 2000, State Sen. Jim Merritt crafted a law to give parents of unwanted children another option.
Since the Indiana Safe Haven Law was enacted 16 years ago, 32 babies have been surrendered – including two in the past 12 days.
MORE | Second baby left with IFD under Safe Haven Law | Baby dropped off at Indianapolis fire station
One of those babies was brought by a woman in her 20s to IFD Station 13.
"I think it's fantastic," Merritt said. "Obviously the baby's life could have been in danger. The system works. People know about the law. We might have just saved a life."
PREVIOUS | Man drops off baby at Lafayette hospital in first case of Safe Haven law | Should Indiana promote Safe Haven signage?
Soon the child will be placed up for adoption. Pictures of children available for adoption are on the Department of Child Services website, but it is an extensive process.
"No one is going to be able to adopt a child until they’ve gone through the proper training that we offer, background checks have been completed and the home inspection is complete," said Jeannie Keating, of the Department of Child Services. "It's gonna take 4-6 months to go through that training."
If you are interested in adopting, you can call the Department of Child Services at 1-888-25ADOPT.
-----
Sign up to have the latest news headlines delivered straight to your email inbox
