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The tragic discovery recently of seven babies in a Pleasant Grove garage has many asking "Why?" Why did this happen?
While we don't have answers, we do know Utah has a Safe Haven law, which might have prevented the situation.
If a mother wants, she can safely and anonymously give up custody of her child, without facing and legal consequences of abandonment.
The Utah Newborn Safe Haven law, adopted in May 2001, also applies to birth fathers. Any Utah hospital is identified as a safe haven, where babies can be safely dropped off with no questions asked. Police are not called, and prosecutors will not file charges.
The Division of Child and Family Services assumes temporary custody and the babies are put up for immediate adoption in what is hopefully a loving and healthy home. Six babies were dropped off and saved under this law in Utah just last year.
KSL encourages the state of Utah to raise awareness of the Save Haven law so desperate parents know they have another option, rather than going down an unthinkable and tragic path.
Darrell Brown is the president of Bonneville International / KSL TV
