Newborn Dropped Off at Long Beach Fire Station

A newborn boy was surrendered at a fire station in Long Beach over the weekend, becoming the 14th child this year in the county to be left at a safe facility, authorities said today.

The most recent Safe Surrender occurred on Sunday, according to county Supervisor Don Knabe.

As is standard practice, the child was taken into protective custody and will be placed with a family approved for adoption by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Last Tuesday, a newborn girl was safely surrendered at a hospital in Montebello.

“I am thrilled to hear that, in less than a week, two babies have been given a second chance at life and the opportunity to grow up in a loving family thanks to the Safe Surrender program,” Knabe said.

The program -- which was initiated by Knabe and approved unanimously by the Board of Supervisors in 2001 -- allows someone to surrender an infant that is no more than three days old, as long as the infant shows no signs of abuse.

More information is available at BabySafeLa.org .

-City News Service