Infant left at hospital Infant left at hospital (September 24, 2004)

Law permits safe surrender

An unknown woman handed over a newborn infant to hospital employees at ValleyCare Medical Center early Tuesday morning.

Police reported that the unidentified woman walked into the hospital emergency room, at 5555 W. Las Positas Blvd., about 7:30 a.m. with the baby and told the staff that the child belonged to a friend, before leaving the hospital.

The baby boy appeared to be several hours old, police said.

Under the "Safe Arms for Newborns" law, which became effective in 2001, a child less then 72 hours old may be surrendered to a public or private hospital without questions or prosecution for abandonment.

Police said the infant was placed in protective custody, and child Protective Services will assume the care and welfare of the infant. -Teresa C. Brown

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